Are you part of the problem or the solution?

Hi there,

I so meant to write yesterday while everyone was still pumped up from the speech by our new President. The best laid plans of mice and men don't always work the way we want them to.

So here I am a day late, but definitely not a dollar short!!! Back to my title: Are you part of the problem or the solution?

I was walking with a business colleague this morning and we were talking about yesterday's events and how excited we are to be experiencing this changing of the guard. I made the comment that I really hoped we, that's the collective we as in our nation, give President Obama a chance to show what he can do and not immediately start to burden him with the "old ways." Those things weren't and didn't work in the past and we should be looking for new ideas. Letting President Obama and his team address the challenges, and opportunities, that are facing our country right now with new ideas and new eyes makes so much sense to me.

I have started working this theme into my work with my women entrepreneur clients. We are evaluating what was done last year and how that worked out. If the results were less than what was desired then we are moving to make changes. Before we can make those changes, however, we need to identify what we really want. So get out your pencils and answer these questions (they really are applicable to any change you want to make):

I want to achieve ____________________________________.


WHO else besides me needs to be involved to get this done? (Don't try to go it alone - ask for help!)

WHAT resources do I need to get started? (A new website, a newsletter - what?)

WHERE will I get/find the above resources? (If this is going to cost $$ this is where you will work out how to pay for it - consider bartering with another business professional)

WHEN am I going to start (No idea - then you aren't ready yet - without a definite time set to make this real you will not progress - I'm serious about this one!)

My suggestion to you - find a coach you can connect with and start the process. If you don't know how to choose a coach, give me a call we can talk!

Now you might be asking how this relates to my title: Are you part of the problem or the solution? If you are trying to make your business work using the "old ways" you may be part of the problem, however if you are ready to open your eyes anew and try something different then I see you as part of the solution.

Your choice - I know which one I'm choosing!

Cheers,
Coach Linda B

Breaking in a new schedule

Hi there,

I have been playing around with my schedule the past couple of weeks. I'm trying to find the right balance between work, play and exercise. So far I haven't hit on the right combination. For instance, yesterday I had early client meetings then came home to get on the computer and clear out some stuff and also send out an invitation to my real estate contacts (more on that later), then a lovely relaxing massage at 3pm which would leave me time to get ready for a 6pm call with some fellow ICF coaching chapter leaders. All went well until I got home from my massage - I was so relaxed that I forgot all about the 6pm call - OOPs!

Today I'm trying something different. I have listed all my "to dos" in my calendar and I'm checking things off as I go along. I can't say I like this plan, as it takes away some of my spontaneity. Not only that, but I just looked at the clock and it's lunch time and I still haven't taken my walk or eaten - argh!

If you are like me and trying to find that perfect "day" keep trying - I know I am and I'll let you know when I find the right combination that works for me.

More about my invitation to my real estate contacts. I invited ten women real estate agents to join me for lunch this Thursday. I'm looking to create a coaching program specific to women in real estate and really want their input. The program has the potential to be fantastic if it is crafted with the wants and needs of these women in mind. I'll let you know how this turns out later!

Cheers,
Coach Linda B

My 2009 is off to a great start!

Hi there,

I have to say my 2009 is off to a great start. If you remember at the end of December two of my clients finished up and I bid them farewell, that opened up space for more clients. Well today I have five to replace those two - I love the new math!

I actually practiced what I preach, what is that, I didn't dwell on the loss instead I looked forward to the potential. No that doesn't mean I sat around waiting for someone to find me. I was out and about and talking to everyone I know. Looks like that paid off, wouldn't you say?

I will admit to ending my year on a bit of a downer, not professionally, just more tired than I remember feeling the year before. In retrospect I realized that I took on a lot of very large responsibilities and they kept me very busy. It didn't leave me much time for "me" and we all know that if you don't take care of yourself problems will show up. Mine are easily fixed, they just require that I take time for myself and say NO more than I have lately.

This is a good lesson to learn from, we are all susceptible to overwhelm, overload and total burnout. Hopefully you are not the latter as burnout takes more time to repair and recover from.

The new coaching tag line I'm seeing now is: Ready to shine in 2009!

Well my polishing cloth is out and I'm making sure my business is going to shine brightly this year. Why don't you join me?

Cheers,
Coach Linda B