10 Things You Can Do To Grow Your Business Before Christmas

This is an interesting time of year -- a time of celebration and early preparations for Christmas, too. For many entrepreneurs, this can be a time of frustration and panic if, in fact, you have not reached your goals for the year. What to do?In my conversations with many solopreneurs, in particular, I have learned that time management skills are an area for improvement.Time management and self-discipline are essential when growing and developing your business. Lack of focus can be the culprit too if/when you have not reached your goals."If we did all the things we are capable of doing we would truly astound ourselves." -- Thomas EdisonMy intention, with this article, is to provide you with hope and information that you can apply today -- to get your business where you want it to be!' All you need is the sincere desire to make things happen (you've got to be hungry!), belief in yourself and in your products/services, and a commitment to take action.1. Get to every networking event you can. There are plenty of opportunities out there, local and virtual, with which you can get involved. You are not typically going to grow your business by staying behind your computer, day in and day out. Get out there -- take lots of business cards -- practice your (results-based) introduction...and let people know who you are and the solution you provide.2. Hire a VA (virtual assistant). If you are acting like a 'lone ranger' and doing everything in your business all by yourself, that's one of your biggest mistakes! Hire a VA right now, delegate everything that is not your talent -- thus, freeing up the time for you to do Step #1 -- Get out there!3. Call your "A" clients and ask for referrals. I trust that you have at least one happy and satisfied client. Call them -- be bold -- and ask for a referral. Do not let your shyness, your mindset or any other thing get in the way of doing this. I've heard some of my clients say well, I don't want to bother them" -- excuse me! The way I described this to an individual the other day was simply this -- 'do you actually believe in your product and/or service? Yes? Who do you think should NOT have access to your product/service? Consider it like you are in a boat and you are rowing by someone who is in the water and struggling to keep afloat...would you just row on by and let them sink? NO, of course not. You would provide a service and help them. Well, no different in your business! Happy and satisfied customers will know other people who need your help. If/when you truly b elieve in what you are doing/providing, then you have a moral obligation to do anything and everything you can to get that out there to the world. So, do it.4. Take a look at all the business cards you have gathered over the past few months. Have you connected with those people again? Pull out 5 cards, call those people and make a 'date' to meet with them this week. I call that a 'get acquainted' meeting -- keep it to 30 minutes -- go with a clear intention of getting to know them and helping them to know you and what you do. (You had best be very clear on describing what you do and the transformation you help to create.)5. Begin each day with a revenue-generating activity. That means back away from e-mail! I guarantee you that when you begin each working day with a revenue-generating activity, you can double your business in a month. Focus, focus, focus.6. Sign up as an affiliate to someone's program/products that you know, trust and believe in. I know that many of you have not created any products yet. That's ok. You certainly must be aware of other good products on the market, and on line. Sign up as an affiliate, start actively promoting that product and get paid as an affiliate.7. Ensure that your voicemail message is 'client attractive' -- keep it clear and succinct with a message about what you do and invite them to your website. This is an incredible way to build your list, raise awareness about your work and invite people to get engaged with you. This is so simple that I want you to stop reading, right here, and go do this now.8. Raise your rates. In the words of my good friend, Suzanne Evans, "Your rate is your message to the world about the confidence you have in what you do." Many of you are severely undercharging for what you do -- and/or you are not charging anything at all. You are giving away your services. Stop that. Do not under-value what you do and/or what you offer -- if you do, so will your potential customers. Raise your rates today -- and get on the phone and round up some new customers.9. Get booked as a guest on radio, or blog talk radio. This is another way, and a very effective way, of getting out there. Blog talk radio hosts are always looking for good guests. Here are a few tips though: research, on the internet, what shows are being aired; listen to a few to ensure you have synergy and rapport with the host; prepare a brief overview of what you have to offer as a guest (be aligned with the theme/intent of the show) and then start making contact. Fill your calendar!10. Get into a master mind group! There is no better place for an entrepreneur (solopreneur, homepreneur, speaker, coach, healer, author, consultant, virtual assistants, etc.). You cannot do it alone. I know that, again, at this time of year, many of you are feeling isolated and overwhelmed. There is no reason to be going through those emotions. Find a master mind group and get involved. It is critical to the success of your business. (Read "Think and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill to learn more.)There are so many things you can be doing, right now, to grow your business. What I have learned from my coaching clients is that you simply do not know what you do not know. As well, it is a 'new day' out there -- we must do business different in order to succeed and live our legacy.


CONCLUSIONIt is easy to grow your business at any time of the year. If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting -- to expect otherwise is the definition of insanity. It takes excellent time management skills, self-discipline, focus, good information and surrounding yourself with the right people. I also advocate having fun! It is easy to turn the feelings of panic and frustration into joy and satisfaction.Make a commitment today to implement the steps listed above and watch the difference a day can make.What is the first step you will take today to grow your business?

YOUR ASSIGNMENT
1. Choose 7 of the steps listed above and start 'working those steps' each day this week.
2. Be aware of your mindset and your self-talk as you take action on these steps -- keep it positive and uplifting.
3. Keep track of your successes and celebrate YOU at the end of the week. You can do this!
4. Get into a Master Mind group!

Inspirational Money and Business Quote **

Ithink that it's always possible to have a great company if you have great ideas. I will say that since the web has become more commercialized, it also takes some good financial resources to build a great business, but as I always say, you have to have the idea first.- Jerry Yang

Top 10 Ways to Get a Good Night's Sleep

1. Only Sleep and Have Sex in the BedroomThe bedroom should be used only for sleep and sex. That means no reading in bed and no TV in bed. Doing these things (or anything else) confuses your body, making it difficult to fall asleep. Give yourself about 15 minutes to fall asleep. If you haven’t fallen asleep by then, get out of bed until you are sleepy. You can do some quiet reading (pick something boring), but avoid TVs and computer screens. Remember, your goal is to train yourself to fall asleep quickly. Reading a stimulating book, watching TV or doing anything else undermines that.
2. Keep a ScheduleGo to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This will train your body to sleep on a schedule. If you can maintain this schedule for several weeks, you will probably find yourself falling asleep faster and feeling more refreshed. Do not sleep in on weekends or stay up late. Your body adjusts to changes in your sleep schedule at a rate of one hour per day. That means if you wake up at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays, but 8:30 a.m. on weekends, you need two days to adjust. You won’t be sleeping well again until Wednesday each week.
3. Make a Bedtime RitualCreate a nightly ritual to signal that it is time to sleep. Start the ritual about 30 minutes before you lie down to help release stressful thoughts and be ready to sleep when you lie down. A little quiet reading (not in bed) or a warm bath can be great. Avoid watching TV, since it stimulates your brain.
4. Exercise DailyDaily exercise will improve your chances of falling asleep quickly and sleeping deeply. Try to exercise early in the day and never within three hours of bedtime. Exercising too late in the day can make it difficult for you to fall asleep. A daily exercise habit will not only improve your sleep hygiene, but it will also improve your overall health.
5. Get Some SunlightSunlight helps regulate your circadian clock and make you feel sleepy at night by stimulating your body to produce melatonin (a hormone that regulates your sleep cycle). You need exposure to bright light every day. Morning sunlight exposure can be especially helpful. Be sure to open the drapes every morning to let light in.
6. Avoid Caffeine in the AfternoonSome people are caffeine sensitive and cannot drink any coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverage up to six hours before bedtime. If you are having trouble sleeping, try avoiding all afternoon and evening caffeine.
7. Make Your Bedroom DarkThe contrast between light during the day and dark at night helps reinforce your body’s natural rhythms. By making your bedroom dark at night, you will be able to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Closing drapes and doors can help reduce the light in your bedroom.
8. Avoid AlcoholThat small glass of wine can make it more difficult to stay asleep. After an evening drink, you might fall asleep just fine, but you will likely wake up in the middle of the night. This effect is caused by a rebound in blood sugar and withdrawal from the alcohol after it is metabolized. Try avoiding alcohol before sleep and see if you sleep more soundly. For every drink you have, give your body at least an hour to process it before trying to fall asleep.
9. Don't SmokeThe nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant that will keep you awake, which is just one of the things that smoking does to your body. If you smoke, many resources are available to help you quit. The benefits quitting include better sleep, a longer life, more energy and saving money. Smokers also may wake up early due to nicotine withdrawal.
10. See a Doctor
Finally, if these lifestyle changes don’t help, contact your doctor. You may have a sleep disorder or just may need some temporary help getting yourself in good ‘sleep shape.’

Alphabets for success

Alphabets for success




A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Ability
Behaviour
Capability
Dedication
Educate
Facility
Gain
Happiness
Ideas
Judge
Kindness
Love
Motivation
Acceptability
Belief
Careful
Delegate
Efficiency
Faith
Get Noticed
Hardwork
Ignite
Joy
Knowledge
Live
Mingle
Accommodate
Bold
Character
Desire
Efforts
Fast
Goal
Health
Ignore

Keeness
Liking
Money
Achieve
Business
Cleanliness
Detail
End Result
Feasibility
God
Honest
Implement


Learn
Marketability
Action

Closeness
Develop
Energy
Fight
Goodwill
Humble
Independent


Leadership
Meaningful
Adaptability

Commitment
Devotion
Enquire
Firmness


Influence


Listen
Mitigate
Admire

Communication
Dictate
Entertain
Flexible


Initiative


Loyalty

Admire

Compromise
Differentiate
Evaluate
Focus


Innovation




Admit

Concentrate
Dignity
Evidence
Fulfilment


Inquire




Affection

Concern
Direct
Execute



Insist




Affordability

Confidence
Discipline
Exhibit



Integrate




Aim

Conscience
Discovery
Expect



Integrity




Alert

Consensus
Documentation
Experience



Intelligence




Allocate

Contenement
Don't React
Explore



Interest




Anticipate

Control
Dream
Express



Invest




Application

Cost cutting
Drive




Involvement




Appreciate

Courage
Duty









Approach

Courteous










Approve

Creativity










Aptitude












Arrange












Attach












Attentiveness












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N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Negotiate
Organize
Participation
Quality
Rebel
Sacrifice
Tactfulness
Unbiased
Validate
Wealth
X Ray
Yield

Noble
Operate
Patience
Quickness
Record
Satisfaction
Talent
Understand
Verify
Work




Openness
Perfection

Relax
Search
Target
Unearth
Victory





Obedience
Perseverance

Repeat
Self Study
Teach
Unity
Vision





Observe
Pertinent

Reserve
Sharing
Team Work
Update
Visualise





Orderliness
Planning

Respect
Sharpen
Thank
Utilise







Positive

Responsibility
Shortcut
Think
Utility







Potential

Result
Sincerity
Time








Preparation

Reward
Skills
Timeliness








Pride

Rise
SocialService
Tolerance








Proactive

Rotation
Sow
Toughness








Probe


Speakout
Training








Profit


Specialisation









Prudent


Strategy









Punctuality


Success