If you hate it too, then check out this video.  I share the #1 thing that’s really stopping most people and two easy, awesome tips on how to quickly move past it in a FUN way.  You can stop beating yourself up and wondering why you can’t seem to get it together.  Plus you’ll learn how cliff jumping taught me to move into some serious action!

You already know that taking the right action is going to get you to your goals of more clients, more income and more freedom.  The steps are there for you – you just need to jump into it.  Watch and find out how.

As a business owner, your time is your most precious commodity, so it’s so important to max your ROI (return on investment).  Your productivity is directly tied to your profits!

Watch this video to learn three things you MUST stop doing to get more done and be super duper productive right now.

My challenge to you: STOP doing these three things for a week – or even a day.  You’ll start to Dominate Your Day and feel like a such a kickass rockstar – you’ll never want to do these things again!

Sounds a lot like an athlete doesn’t it? Yup. Entrepreneurs are just athletes with a business license.

Back when I was a competitive swimmer, we did a lot of cross training to work out different muscles and build other skills with the end goal to improve our swim times. We’d do things like circuit training, lift weights, run, and even play ultimate Frisbee.

Entrepreneurial Cross Conditioning:

• Physical Training: Exercise is mandatory. Just do it (seriously). Exercise is critical for tons of energy and clearing your mind. Running, roller skating, or surfing in Hawaii – as long as your getting your body moving and your heart rate up, it’s not important what type of exercise you do – just do it consistently. You’ll feel great and bring a lot more focus to your work.

• Mindset Training: Your attitude and way of thinking can hugely propel or hinder your business growth. Eighty percent of success is mindset, so get coaching, read books and attend workshops to expand and prime your mind for more possibility and achievement. When you believe it, you will see it.

• Creativity Training: Strong out of the box thinking is great for problem solving and staying innovative in your business. Creativity training can come in many forms (not just music or fine arts). It can anything that you feel passionate about and requires some creative flow – gardening, cooking, fashion, dancing, or even craft hobbies such as scrapbooking. Take time to play in creative projects that inspire you and give you energy. The inspiration, energy, and expanded thinking will carry over into your business.

By doing these consistently, you’ll be a sharper, well-rounded entrepreneur and all three of these cross conditioning exercises will greatly enhance your life.  This is what we call a win-win-win!

In the beginning, you’re all jazzed up. You get up early and you’re committed. But then life gets in the way – you get busy, sick, and your in-laws are visiting and despite your best intentions, you never get back on track. You’ve probably experienced this a time or two in your life…
Why do so many people fall off the bandwagon after just a few weeks? All that initial energy and will power that you had at the beginning burns out and you end up being pretty much where you started. The worst part is, we’ve become tolerant of this pattern in life.  It’s why so many people make the same New Years resolutions year after year.

It’s time to say no more of this madness and start fresh with a whole new approach. You CAN really make change that lasts. People do it all the time.  They quit smoking, drinking, or lose weight and keep it off for good.  The secret is making a decision to BE different, not just do different.

Change requires action – there’s no doubt about that. I’m not saying you don’t need to take action. But to make a change in your life, that’s only going to get you so far. For truly lasting change, you have to change who you are by changing your identity.

Doing Vs. Being

“If I just had the will power to stick to it…” I hear this all the time from my clients. Will Power is about doing. Will power is about not eating that 2nd piece of triple chocolate cake when it’s all you can think about. Will Power is about pushing yourself to go for a run when you really just want to hit the snooze button and stay in bed. Will power never lasts in the long run. Yes, change does take action, but LASTING change comes from changing not just what you do, but who you are.

Transformation is about being. Transformation is about becoming the person who eats for self-nourishment, and not for self-medication, so you don’t even crave that 2nd piece of cake. Transformation is about becoming the person who values health and fitness for strength and vitality, not because they were told they “should” by their doctor, so going for a run feels awesome and easy. Transformation is about changing who you are and how you see yourself to the type of person you want to be. When your identity changes, your behavior changes, and it doesn’t feel like your fighting with yourself, but rather, that you are just BEING yourself.

So, I’m giving you a fresh start today – right now at this exact moment. Call it the Mid-Year, your Un-Birthday, or Fresh Start Sunday – it’s a brand new day folks (today and everyday). Who do you dare to be?

Do you ever have days that feel like that? Like you just can’t get it into first gear? 

You wake-up and all you want to do is just stay in bed under the blankets.  Maybe it was the being out late and third margarita the night before, or perhaps you’ve just been under a lot of stress and you just can’t seem to get it together to fight the good fight.

Rather than struggling through a miserable day,

use my three-part formula to get yourself out of this funk and into gear:

1. Get It Out.  You’ve most likely got some negative thoughts lurking in your head or perhaps some feelings bottled up inside. Take some time to get it out through talking with a friend or journaling, and bring it to your awareness. Only then can you be mindful of shifting your thoughts and feelings into more a positive, supportive, encouraging space.
2. Get Moving – Literally. Go for a walk, do some yoga, hit the gym – anything to get your body moving. Exercise helps you reduce anxiety and the stress hormone cortisol (the one that gives you belly fat…) and detox “the yuckies”.   Not only that, it will increase your energy, elevate your mood, and help clear your mind to focus.
3. Feed Your Soul. You can’t run an engine on empty. If your soul’s fuel tank is running low, it’s time to fill-up. Indulge in some yummy self-care, read an inspiring book, listen to some uplifting music, meditate, commune with your higher power – do whatever it is you know to do to fill-up your heart and feed your soul.
   

The super secret tip to making this formula work:

*Don’t give up: Be very gentle, patient, and compassionate with yourself when you’re in a funk, but that doesn’t mean letting yourself off the hook. Sometimes it takes me an hour, other times it take me until evening to go through these steps and fully shift gears from funk to fabulous. With a little extra TLC and self-encouragement, you can absolutely get yourself back in alignment and have a great rest of the day.

The right words of wisdom and encouragement at the right time can literally change your life.  I know this because I’ve lived this.  In times of stuck-ness, shaky faith, discouragement and fear, I have turned to wise words to pull me through.  Wise words can give you just the  attitude adjustment you need to send you down a happier path.

These are a few of my most treasured quotes that have lived on my bulletin board, refrigerator, screen-saver, post-its on my computer, in my wallet, and wherever else it can serve as a daily reminder.  Jot down the ones that resonate with you and keep them close to your heart.

WORDS ON COURAGE:

“Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where you backbone ought to be.”
~Clementine Paddleford

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
~Maryanne Williamson

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
~Anais Nin

WORDS ON CHARACTER:

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

“Well behaved women rarely make history.”
~Eleanor Roosevelt

WORDS ON LIVING:

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
~Maya Angelou

“I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it.”
~Rita Mae Brown

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
~Helen Keller

Food for Thought

Boosting Brain Power with Whole Foods

by guest expert Michelle Babb, MS, RD

 
If the brain is the powerhouse of the body, then food is the fuel that keeps the powerhouse running.  

 
If you’re doubting the effect that diet has on mental acuity, just keep in mind that your brain depends on vitamins, minerals and amino acids for various neurological functions.

 
Perhaps you’ve had the experience of skipping breakfast, working through lunch and then finding yourself fatigued and unable to concentrate in the afternoon. If that leads to sugar or carbohydrate cravings that’s because glucose is the preferred fuel for the brain. Having a balanced diet, consisting of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, quality proteins and healthy fats will help you optimize your brain power.

 
Below are my top five tips to get you started:

 
1. Balance Your Blood Sugar
   Your brain needs glucose (sugar) to function. The best sources of sugar for the brain are fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. It’s also important to eat healthy snacks or small meals to keep your blood sugar from getting too low. Don’t go more than 3-4 hours without eating.
2. Boost Your B Vitamins
   A healthy dose of B vitamins is critical for your brain to work well. Supplementing with a good vitamin B-Complex can be useful, or you can get your daily dose from foods that are rich in B vitamins including:
• Turkey
• Chicken
• Spinach
• Sunflower seeds
• Quinoa
• Avocado
• Beans
3. Get the Good Fats
   Your brain is more than 60% fat! In order to keep your brain healthy and happy, it’s important to have good quality unsaturated fats in your diet. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are especially important. Try to add some of the following foods into your daily diet:
• Fish (salmon is a great source of omega-3s!)
• Flax oil (great for salad dressing)
• Walnuts
4. Power Up with Protein
   Foods high in protein help build your brain. Look for good quality sources of protein that are low in saturated fat, such as:
• Turkey
• Chicken
• Fish
• Beans + Grains
• Nuts & Seeds
5. Drink Lots of Water!
   Dehydration can cause headaches and interfere with concentration and focus. Be sure to drink at least 65 – 70 ounces of water and/or herbal tea every day.

 
For more tips and healthy recipes visit www.eatplaybe.com

 
Michelle Babb, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian and holds a Master’s degree in nutrition from Bastyr University. She has a private practice in West Seattle where she provides clients with the tools they need to achieve optimal health through nutrition education, creative fitness, and emotional balance.

Put Your Best Foot Forward:

It’s your first date tonight with your hot n’ sexy new guy/gal that your BFF set you up with. You’re excited, a little nervous, and definitely want to look your best. You’ve picked out a great outfit that highlights your eyes, have brainstormed some topics to talk about (in case there is a lull in the conversation), and have mints tucked away. And if the date goes exceptionally well, you have a couple great places in mind that you’ll suggest to go for dessert and coffee.

There’s a lot of effort that goes into a successful first date, and meeting a prospective client is no different. You MUST be prepared with the right materials, the compelling sales conversion, and looking your best. You’ll want to have your up-sell, down-sell, and follow-up opportunities that you can pull from your back pocket based on how the start of the conversation.

It’s All in the Details:

On a particularly memorable first date, my date called me a few days prior to let me know he made reservations for us at Assaggio’s, provided me the address and phone number with directions, along with suggestions on where to park. I was impressed to his attention to detail – but it didn’t stop there. He was there to greet me at the restaurant, opened doors, and helped me with my jacket and chair (note – chivalry is not dead).   A second date? How could I say no? Plus, he called the next day.

Court a prospective client with the same level of energy and attention to detail, and you’ll also have them in the palm of your hand. Make it super easy for them to say yes to your offer by doing the legwork, going the extra-mile, and stay on top of the follow-up to continue the relationship. Just like in dating, to attract your best clients, you’ve got to build trust and rapport before you can get to first base and beyond.

A Happy Ending:

If you think you’re done once you close the deal, you are sadly mistaken. You’re never “done” with dating, even if you get married – you’ve got to keep the romance and passion alive! All relationships (romantic or otherwise) will die away without time, energy, attention and love.

So how are you courting your best customers and clients? Keep a thriving relationship by fueling the fire with stay-in-touch marketing such as eZines, personal cards, and gifts of appreciation.

One final note:  

Relationships that are built on the foundation of friendship, likability, and trust are always the most fruitful both in romantic and client love.

The answer is yes – and you’ve probably experienced it before. It’s like runner’s high (I call it swimmer’s high because I’m allergic to running) – the feeling of euphoria you get when engaging in strenuous exercise for an extended period of time. Your body starts to produce endorphins giving you that unstoppable, on-top-of-the-world feeling.
 
Productivity high is similar – it’s when you get in that Peak Productivity Zone. You’re uber focused and cranking out your project and to-do list like a rock star. It’s that zone where everything is just flowing out and you’re getting through the list one after another, after another, and you get that, “Damn, I’m on fire today!!!” feeling. That’s a productivity high.
 
So here’s some tips to get yourself in the Productivity Zone:
Just do 15. Getting started is the hardest part, so commit to just 15 minutes, and set your timer.   Just like you can’t get swimmer’s high without swimming, you can’t get productivity high without starting. The great news is, after the initial 15 minutes, you’ll be in the zone and won’t want to stop!
Sleep & Exercise. Getting good rest and regular exercise has a huge affect on your ability to focus and get things done.  They both help reduce stress and provide mental clarity.  If that’s not motivation enough, how about this – Exercise Will Improve Your Sex Life.
Don’t negotiate. Here’s what negotiation might sounds like in your head: “I’ll clean my desk for half an hour and then I’ll start my project.” Or, “This really doesn’t need to be done right now, so I can work on this project tonight after I get back from dinner.”  This type of negotiating is a waste of your precious time and energy. If you catch yourself doing this, stop! And see tip #1.
 
Just like sports, when you find the game in productivity, it’s a helluva lot more fun.  Enjoy the high!

The title says it all doesn’t it?  

Despite what you’ve heard, falling on your face in complete failure is an option and in some rare cases, it’s the best option. It’s not fun, I know.  In fact it’s one of the most un-fun experiences to be had. So how can it be a good thing?

Fear of failure has the ability to stop you dead in your tracks. If that’s the case for you, failure can actually free you.   The more times you fail, the less scary it becomes. When failure is no longer the big, scary monster and instead becomes the wise sage, magical things will happen. Learning how to gracefully fail will release you from stuck-ness and guide you to a better way doing things. And, now that you’ve failed and lived to tell about it, you can let go of the fear of failure and MOVE ON!

Falling Gracefully and Graciously:
A few years ago, I decided to give snowboarding a try. There are two things I learned:

• Beside the snow, it’s absolutely nothing like skiing
• You must learn to fall well to survive

I’ve never fallen so much in my life as I did my first day snowboarding. In order to save my wrists, elbows, and knees, I had to learn to roll with the falls (quite literally). It was when I resisted the fall, and try and brace myself that I get hurt the most. Day one for me on the snowboard more resembled rolling down the mountain than boarding, but I kept getting back up. In fact, I pushed myself up so many times, my triceps were actually sore for two days.

It all changed once I got over the fear of falling, and that’s when it became fun. How far could I go this time before my next face plant?  After falling a few times, the fear started to dissipate. After a few more times, I no longer held back because of the fear.  It was at that moment when I was finally free to give it all I have, learn and improve.  By the end of the day I made it the the entire run without falling.

Same goes for you in your business. By facing your fear of failure, even embracing failure, you will be free to give it your best shot, learn from your mistakes and move past procrastination!