FrontLine Results : Business Coaching

Happy 2010 (and a welcome return)!

And so we welcome a new year and indeed a new decade ... have you noticed that somehow everyone seems filled with the hope that 2010 is going to be better than 2009 - I suppose in many ways it has to be!

Towards the end of last year you may remember me blogging that my Mojo had gone missing, and wondering out loud the possible reasons why.  In the 10+ years of being in business, this was the first time I'd experienced such a dip in motivation.  There seemed to be no clear direction, plan or even purpose to all my efforts.  I felt exhausted and reluctant to write (which was most worrying as it's one activity I love to do!).  Has this ever happened to you?

When trying to 'work through it' only made me feel worse, I stopped pushing and decided to do only what felt right instead.  It was rather scary easing back on my blogging and social networking schedule - which included tweeting less!  But I was prepared to do whatever it took to get my mojo back :)

I've always taken pride that my business is built around two of my core values - of authenticity and integrity and so I trusted them to help me decide what to do next.  It turned out I hadn't taken much notice of my inner voice for a while - no wonder I was in such a pickle!

Fortunately it only took a few days before the first glimmers of interest began to resurface; a few more days of enforced rest (over Christmas) while ideas were mpatiently marinating; followed by some excited plotting & planning - which brings us nearly up to date.

I'm delighted to welcome back my mojo, to feel enthusiastic about this year - and to wish you a very happy and successful 2010!

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Mojo (part 3)

Came across some photos the other day – I forget when they were taken – but there we are, me and dear old Mojo having a good laugh and enjoying ourselves by the look of it.  Must have been a long while ago if I can’t remember.  (Hindsight Rule #8 – Always have something to look forward to and make time to have fun)

The hardest part is seeing other people who still have their mojos.  You can always tell because they positively bubble with new ideas and sweep you along with their enthusiasm.  I used to be like that.  (Hindsight Rule #9 – Learn from the past and be excited by the future)

My hopes have been raised and dashed so many times – every time the phone rings I think it might be Mojo ringing for me to go and collect it.  But no, the calls have been gentle enquiries as to whether I'm OK.  (Hindsight Rule #10 – people will notice if your Mojo goes missing)

I wonder if it would help if I made an effort to smarten up or rebrand the business perhaps?  It’s so hard to decide on my own.  Would Mojo be tempted to come home …. Do you think?

To be continued ……

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Mojo (part 2)

Well, I’ve looked everywhere more than once now, even under the bed and behind the fridge.  Although I disturbed quite a bit of dust there’s still no sign of my Mojo, sad  to say. (Hindsight Rule #5 – Spring cleaning isn’t simply a quaint, seasonal tradition.  Keep things polished and fresh all year round.)

It’s really hard to get any work done around here – I hadn’t realised quite how much I depended on old Mojo to help me out on a daily basis.  All the routine tasks we used to zip through merrily together are soooo boring on my own.  (Hindsight Rule #6 – Make a game out of getting the dull stuff done.  Try racing against the clock)

The weather forecast is looking grim.  I do hope Mojo has found somewhere warm and dry to stay.  Rather ashamed at the realisation that I didn’t take better care when it was still here with me.  (Hindsight Rule #7 – Take nothing for granted and take especial care of your important assets)

You know, I have let things get in a bit of a pickle.  No wonder Mojo’s gone AWOL, I would too if I thought it would help!  Still, no point in feeling sorry for myself, that won’t get things sorted.  Nothing else for it but to make plan and then take action.

Oh, if you should happen to see my Mojo, please can you tell it how much I miss it?

To be continued …..

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Mojo

I suppose I should have taken more notice a few weeks ago when the first cheeky shadows started dancing and playing hide and seek, just out of my line of vision.  To be honest, I thought they were just a symptom of my over-tired eyes.  (Hindsight Rule #1 – don’t ignore troublesome symptoms, especially if they’re out of the ordinary.  Check them out, just in case)

After 11 years of being in business, complacency had been making itself far too comfortable amongst the spreading files and growing piles of paper in my office.  (Hindsight Rule #2 – Have a major declutter exercise at least once a year to keep everything fresh and leave no hiding place for bad habits)

I really believed it couldn’t happen to me.  After all, I teach this stuff for goodness sake!  People from all over the country, and even some from ‘over the water’ get in touch and ask me to help them.  (Hindsight Rule #3 – Arrogance and foolishness are close cousins and unwanted visitors.  Invite round respected elders, humility and wisdom to sort them out)

And then this morning, there it was – or rather it wasn’t.  I don’t know whether it decided at the last moment or had been planning its getaway meticulously over a period of time, either way it’s gone missing.   (Hindsight Rule #4 – refer to Hindsight Rule #1)

What do you mean, what am I talking about?  Can’t you see what’s missing?  Only my Mojo, that’s what!  Such a little word for such an important player in my business – and in my life.  The sparkle of fun and fizz of excitement are suddenly flat, dull and uninspiring. 

Without my mojo I really don’t know what’s to become of me. …. Have you seen it – anywhere?

To be continued …..

How to make the sun shine in your business

Have you noticed the effect sunshine has on your mood?  Here in the UK we’re possibly more obsessed with the weather than some other countries and, as I write this post, the sun is shining on a chilly autumn morning.  When the sun shines I feel energised, enthusiastic and optimistic; but when the day dawns grey, cloudy or raining, I’m more likely to be stalked by lethargy, doubts and negativity.

As busy business owners, we can’t afford to be affected by overcast skies, so here are three suggestions to make the sun shine in your business, whatever the weather!

Collect together all your testimonials from satisfied clients (print them out if electronic) and keep them in a file.  Reading through them on a grey day will reaffirm how great you are.  Also, if you receive any thank you greeting cards, store them in the same file.

Keeping a record of achievements will help chase away doubts.  Evidence that you have succeeded in the past is a great morale booster, and one we don’t use enough.  We always seem to be looking for the next goal and forget to congratulate ourselves on where we are right now.  Each milestone deserves its own celebration.

Giving thanks and appreciating the little things in life is an excellent way to stop pessimism in its tracks.  Stop and be grateful at least 5 times every day – for that perfect cup of coffee; for the love of your family; for being able to work from home & avoid those long commutes; for the stunning autumn colours on your morning walk and for the sweet birdsong that accompanied you.

How do you keep the sun shining in your business?  Please share your tips by leaving a comment below.

Why problems are good motivators

At a workshop I ran recently on effective Networking, we discussed how to come up with an attention-grabbing opening statement, in answer to the question “What do you do”?

Speaking to a delegate afterwards, she asked me why I recommend to focus first on the problem and not on the solution. 

It’s all a matter of thinking about what motivates people.  Some people are motivated towards pleasure or reward but even more are motivated away from pain or discomfort so that’s where you need to start. 

The response you want is for someone to say “That sounds interesting, tell me more.” Or “How do you do that?” Then you move on to talk about the solution you can provide (not the process). You can use these motivators in your one-minute pitches too.

First highlight the problem your typical clients have and then tell them how wonderful things will be with your solution.   This is a really strong combination of motivators that will resonate with people who are in the market for what you offer.

(For more tips to help your business networking, take a look at my Confident Business Networking system)

Thought for Thursday

“If you are going through hell, keep going.”
—Winston Churchill

The three person blog week

Are you as fed up with all this negative stuff as I am?  Even though I stopped buying a daily paper some months ago, I still listen to news bulletins and read stories about what’s happening on the internet.  These stories make me so cross! 

I’ve also been speaking with fellow business owners from my local business community.  And quite honestly a lot of what I hear makes me want to give some people a good slap!  For this week’s posts, I’ve come up with another group of three, this time three types of people, based on the attitudes I’ve encountered in the last few days, straight from the horse’s mouth, as it were .....

Andy Apathy

"Oh dear, woe is me!  I really haven’t got the energy to deal with all this recession stuff.  And even if I did, it wouldn’t make any difference, would it?  I’m far too exhausted to do any marketing.  You know, I really think clients should just come to me, they should know how good I am without me having to tell them, shouldn’t they?  Oh no, you don’t expect me to learn anything new, do you?  Don’t you know I’m far too busy organising my stationery drawer to do that. 

What’s that you say?  Get in touch with my existing and recent clients?  I don’t think so, that sounds rather tiring.  How dare you suggest my website needs working on!  It’s been there for nearly 10 years and no-one’s ever complained about it before.  Oh alright, I’ll give it go, maybe tomorrow.  Stop rushing me, will you?  Let me sleep on it and see how I feel in the morning...."

This economic situation has changed everything.  This is not a time to be doing nothing, or coasting along and expect what used to work to keep on working. 

Learn to be optimistic

Have you ever noticed how some people always seem to be cheerful, and look on the bright side when faced with life’s problems?  And I’m sure we’ve all met others who will find the down side of just about everything!  You’ve probably also heard this described as looking at a glass as half full or half empty, optimist vs. pessimist.

But did you know that we all have an equal choice about how we react to situations?  To be optimistic (or pessimistic) isn’t actually a state of mind that we’re born with and stuck with.  We learn as we go through life, until our outlook is so fixed that it influences and ‘colours’ everything we face.

So, if how we approach the current global economic situation is the result of something we ‘learned’, it stands to reason that, if that way is making us feel depressed,  we can choose to learn a different way.

Obviously this brief description is very simplistic and I’m not advocating a ‘Pollyanna’ approach to life either!  What I am suggesting is that you can choose to, and learn to, feel more optimistic if you want to.  By doing so, you will also want to start taking action, and putting yourself back in control.  This will have a ‘virtuous circle’ effect because, as you see positive results, you will genuinely start to feel more optimistic!

If you want to read more on this fascinating subject, I suggest ‘Learned Optimism’ by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman (back in print again).  He’s a psychologist who helps people to rise above pessimism and depression.  His techniques, based on over 20 years of clinical research, work just as well today as when his book was first published in the early 1990s.

Looking on the bright side

There is a tendency, with all the depressing financial news just now, to start to believe that everything is dreadful.

This can taint all the other parts of our lives and lessen the enjoyment we normally experience from the good stuff.  If we’re not careful a negative spiral will begin to drag us and our businesses down. 

However, I’m determined that isn’t going to happen to me, and I don’t want it to happen to you either!  This week’s blog posts are going to focus on ways to get to grips with all the negativity around us and look on the brighter side.

Over the weekend I remembered an exercise I ask my life coaching clients to work on if they’re struggling to stay positive.  After trying it out myself yesterday I felt much brighter, both in mood for the day and in outlook for the future.

It involves writing down (that’s really important) what you’re grateful for in that moment.  Set your mind on a mission to complete this exercise and you’ll be surprised how much it will come up with that you already have to be grateful for!

Here are a few from my personal list that I wrote down yesterday:

• The sun is shining, making my drive more enjoyable
• I’m having a lovely time just being with family
• That my journey took me past some glorious autumn leaf colours
• My head is completely clear from migraine headaches
• I have a busy week to look forward to

You see, what you’re grateful for doesn’t have to be ‘big stuff’.  In fact, it’s usually the ‘little things’ that make us smile and brighten our day. 

My challenge to you is to write down 5 Gratitudes every day this week.  It’s OK to have some similarities as long as you’re not just copying from one day to the next! 

I’m on a mission to break this cycle of bad news – I hope you’ll join me!  Don’t forget to check back on Wednesday for another tip to combat the ‘bad news effect’.