I am currently reading a wonderful book by David R. Hawkins called Power VS Force. In alignment with our dreams and passions we take inspired action. Joyful action; which is using our power wisely and this of course comes from the heart.

When we force the action it takes twice  as long to achieve something because it is much like swimming up stream against the current. Obstacles come up which are red flags we need to end this behavior.

Life flows when we are in alignment with our power. I recomend the read- facenating stuff.

“Money allows us the freedom to pursue the things that are important to us. Money is not and of itself”

by Stacey Allison- the first American woman to climb Mt Everest.

Focus on what you are passionate about; then find a way to make money at it! By getting in touch with your heart, instead of hooking solely into your left side of the brain, you will feel the good ideas percolating  and want to explore them. When we allow our left brain to do all the talking, we can easily be talked out of exploring great ideas. Negative self talk is what occurs and kills dreams faster than anything. If this is happening to you- stop!

Get back in touch with your heart because it does not steer you wrong.  Ask yourself  ”what am I absolutly passionate about? what would I do for free because I love it so much”?

Now no one is asking you to do it for free, just let  your passion speak from the heart.

For some people, when the words Sales is mentioned,  it strikes fear into them. Mostly, becasue they don’t want to appear too pushy, or be appear to be like a used car saleman of days gone by.

Sales really only means  2 things. If you can remember  this- it is easy.

1) confidence

2) attitude

First it’s your own self confidence that gives the prospect the perception that you know what you are talking  about- that you are the professional, no matter waht business you are in. Let’s say you are a wedding photographer. Who wants a photographer who lacks confidence to take all the magic moments on your wedding day? Rather, a person who shines with confidence in their speech, how they carry themselves and offering product knowledge is much more apt to be in the running to be hired than a quiet little mouse. Shake hands firmly, and look prospects in the eye while asking all the right questions to attract their confidence in you.

Secondly, attitude.  I’m not talking about being cocky or a know it all. I am talking about having an understanding attitude, a curious attitude.  Set your intention for creating a relationship, before ‘getting’ business. People may not remember what you say- but they will remember how you made them feel.

passing this awesome video on… it’s an American’s view of our great nation.

What is the fastest way to have a prospect question your credibility ?  By not using language that is fitting to business.

Case in point: recently I was meeting a new entrepreneur  for the first time, and was discovering what  it is they do. I was hearing  words like; cheap, thing, stuff, guys, and phrases such as; ‘I didn’t bring any cards with me’ ( are you kidding?)  ’you know’, “yah, I drive anywhere”,  ”gotta make a buck”, ” I ‘dunow…maybe” “when I meet people I just give ‘em  some information ( what?)

Gosh, I was stopped in my tracks. Why? because I had little confidence this individual knew how to handle me professionally  if I was to become a customer.

Everyone you speak to needs to hear your own confidence built into the words they  hear.

When is a good time to edit your language? Well, now may be a great time!

Please remove reference to all people as guys; more than half of us are not guys, we are women!

Instead, you can insert words like prospects, clients, customers, colleagues, partners, affiliate.

When referencing your print material for instance, it’s not ’stuff’ , but rather, business brochures, printed information package, reference material, business cards and the like.

When you want to refer to your product, again, lose the temptation to call it ’stuff’. Not too appealing, nor do you do any justice to your product or service. You do want people to purchase it, correct? Then honour yourself by referring in ways like  my/our  product, our promotional item,  line, selection, merchandise, stock, our series, my/our service.

8 Key words and phrases that are sure to engage your prospects:

“I recommend _____”

“your best value is -___”

“may  I suggest__”

“these statistics show ___”

at this low  ( not cheap) price,

our introductory price

absolutely

our guarantee

for a limited time, our service is priced at

“your investment is ”

These are only a few suggestions to help you on your road to words that compel  your prospect into action based on the perception you are the professional who knows your product or service well.

It’s about remaining mindful of the words you chose to share and the relationship you have with words. Step away from slag, it’s not pretty, nor relevant in business. Read books on selling and get comfortable with new phrases in your language . You may not think of yourself as a ’salesperson’ but guess what ? you are! Stepping into the role of entrepreneur is not the same as having a job. You must be the flagship for You!

Cathy recommends  ”The 25 Sales Habits of Highly Successful Sales People“, by Stephan Schiffnam.

For this simple exercise, take a blank sheet of paper, and have a pen or pencil with you. We are going to discover who surrounds you in your business. Call it your   ‘Sphere of Influence’.

In the center of the page print your name, then draw a circle around it. Next, begin thinking of all the people that you can call upon for their expertise. Draw a line out from the center and write their name . Continue to bring to mind people that you use.

Here’s a few to get you started; Financial planner, bookkeeper, printer, web developer, legal, SEO specialist, virtual assistant, computer tech, mentors, coaches, banker, suppliers, graphic designer, marketers and copy writers –  and there may be more depending on your business. Your customers or clients may never know who makes up your Sphere, but you need to be keenly aware.

The point of the exercise is to make  sure you have a visual of all the people who surround you to allow you to run your business smoothly. Most importantly, to bring to the table  what they are good at so you don’t have to attempt to be.

Once you  feel you have completed your ‘Sphere of Influence”, be sure to affirm to each of them how much they mean to you. Send a heart felt card of appreciation- it’ will go a long way. Everyone loves to know they are doing a great job.

DIVE stands for  D-iscover  I-mpact  V-alue  E-magins. Use this simple recipe when speaking to prospects. You are creating a relationship with them in the beginning. By utilizing open ended questions you create good conversation. Engage the W’s ; who, what why where and when. Your conversations will go further with this approach than  ”Can I help you?”  You probably have been asked that killer question when you enter a store by a clerk who has not learned to DIVE yet. What is your most likely response to that question? Mine generally is  ”no thanks, just looking” which ends any further conversation.

Questions need to be powerful, and ones that you sincerley want the answers to.  Avoid questons that have assumptions in them, because that narrows the field. Remember, when you  center your questions on the scope of the problems that you solve, they have impact and at the same time you are giving value. This allows your prospect to e-maigine opening up to doing business with you.

It’s a new year- a blank canvas. I love to see a new year in, and feel good about what I am attracting to me. Did you notice the careful choice of words?

feel, good,  and  I am attracting.  Not  words like; will  can, or should.  I like to stay in the present, and feel the good energy. Remember, the more energy you put out when you are thinking of your desires, the faster your desires manifest. Anything we focus on, put our attention to, or give energy to grows. Use this simple formula for your personal life as well as for your business.

Today I am sharing   10 Ways to See Results in Your Business

1. Get organized – call a professional if you don’t know where to start

2. Set up systems for handling clients or customers- already have a system? review and tweak for improvements

3. Eliminate things that drain your energy- hire it out- or delegate what drains you

4. Find a coach,  join a success team or work with a mentor

5.Raise your standards- expectant excellence and give excellence

6. Stop P-ing- ( procrastinating !)

7. Design an inspiring work environment- make it bright, and organized- even add some art or plants!

8. Develop good energy habits- use your energy well and take a lunch break AWAY from your desk

9. Challenge yourself to learn more-  read new books on business and grow your ‘business library’

10. Expect to be ‘full’ – by that I mean expect lots of business that has you prospering

See 2010 in the best light  possible and focus on your desires for a prosperus year ahead !

“expect the best… and allow it to manifest…”

They happen- you can’t escape. The setbacks are out of your control and it’s part of life. Accept that and you’ll feel lighter. They may come along and be  a set of circumstances that may appear to block you so you can’t move forward.

Want to bounce back from setbacks? Look inside to see how your thoughts revolve around what you are currently seeing. What have you been focused on, giving energy to, or worried about lately? Remember, when we focus on things in life we don’t want, they come anyway- it’s the Law of Attraction in action.

Get to place where you now visualize a clear picture of what you really want. Feel that, and know the more you focus on it, that it is your new reality.

How many people would be  successful if they only took a chance? Some of us get to the place where we do take risks and challenges, only to self sabotage ourselves because we fear that we will be successful.  It’s like retreating  back to ‘comfort zone land’. For anyone who really hangs onto what is familiar to them, it is obvious that they lack the true entrepreneurial spirit.  This certainly doesn’t mean that fear is not present, it simply means that the approach to fear is one of a journey and challenge to be welcomed not shunned.

Sidestepping risk is turning a blind eye to the door that opens on Opportunity.