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.

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.

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.

The term ‘autodidactic’ learners means much of what a person learns is not learned in a formal classroom setting, but rather by using their own way to learn. This includes asking questions, learning from mistakes, doing personal reading and research. And one main difference is that they will surround themselves with people who know more than they do.

They have almost a compelling desire to  up the learning curve  by continuing to improve and enrich themselves.

Want to become a better student of human nature? Make an effort to grow your knowledge and share it with others.

Confidence-  defined as; “the state of being that comes when you rise above situations while achieving your goal”.

Here are 4 physical ways to build up your self confidence

1. Step it up- yes, walking faster actually helps. It’s what confident people do.

2.Work out- this raises your physical energy, and helps you think more clearly.

3. Practice good posture- lose the slumped shoulders- sit tall and breathe deeply.

4. Sit in the front row- don’t hide in the back- get up front where you can hear, be seen and feel like you are part of the action

Think of the most confident person you know. Picture them, and see that they practice all four physical elements. You can too, and see how it makes you feel.

TIP for the week- practice saying these 3 phrases to yourself in front of a mirror, “I choose to be confident in myself. I have confidence.I am confident” say them out loud at least a couple of times a day for a week.

“Who has confidence in himself will have the confidence of others”

Leib Lazarow

Make the phone your friend -

Practice your telephone techniques, because Mom always said “practice makes perfect”!

Ever wonder what you sound like on the phone? I’ll bet you have never thought of that, and yet the phone is one our most powerful tools in business. If you can’t be face to face to someone, then the way we communicate over the phone is the next best thing. Communicating over the telephone has the ability to make a big impact, that is; has the power to make or break your first impression with a prospect. Or worse yet, really put off a customer.

If you could record yourself in a conversation, you may be surprised how many times you hear yourself say things like, uh-huh, but, ya-but, yup, yeah… and so on.  How many times do you start a sentence that you don’t finish, or this one: ask a question, and trail off with the word “or” at the end of it?

How is your pitch as you speak to people – are you clear, are you upbeat? You don’t want to come across as a wet rag,  do you?

7  Tips for the Telly:

1.Be conscious of putting a smile on your face as you answer the phone! Think people can ‘hear that smile’? you bet! Project that smile right to your caller. To remind yourself, do as I have done, and actually draw a happy face and stick it on your phone- cracks me up ever time I answer my phone- and… I’m smiling!

2. Decide to catch yourself saying the um’s and yeah buts, and choose your words well instead.

3. Take a deep breath as you begin to speak  so you can fully finish the sentence properly.

4. Laughter is ok, as well as a great ice breaker- learn to be yourself on the phone

5. Put life into your voice- use energy, have the caller enjoy what and how you respond to them. They will feel heard.

6. No Go on the Mono-tones – did you just come back from a funeral?? Make an effort to use inflection to keep the conversation interesting. Ever have a conversation with a person who sounded dull & dreary – if you are the customer, you almost feel that your call is an interruption and can’t wait for it to end!

7. End your call with a grateful expression – thank your caller very much for calling- make it heartfelt…with a  smile!

The greatest salespeople in the world  have the best techniques on the phone- is it any wonder they succeed?

…now off you go- make your smiley face