Will You Be Lonely This Monday?

March 18, 2010 | Uncategorized

Decision taken?  Plans made?  Let’s hope so.  Here endeth the commuting run.  Are you flying solo or as a satellite?  Did you jump or were you pushed?

 These questions will impact upon how you’re feeling about your new venture.  Working from home means no more queuing on motorways and urban freeways or launching yourself into the throng on the underground and spending a couple of hours just ‘getting there’.

It’s your big chance to create what you want in your life.  It’ll be as exciting and successful as YOU make it.  Assuming you have thought things through, you will already have considered most aspects of working from home. 

Here’s the biggie – are you extravert or introvert?  The euphoria of striding to your desk in your pyjamas (not recommended!) may be short lived if you need a strong daily dose of social interaction with your coffee.

You may be shocked by how much you relied on contact with colleagues and commuters.  You may even miss the mutual moan about the weather and other potentially non-lifethreatening topics.  Have a plan ready to fend off feelings of isolation.

Even if you enjoy your own company, it can be difficult spending a large part of the week on your own.  Bring your day to life by:

• Making sure it’s easy for people to find you
• Telling all your networking contacts your new contact details
• Making some noise!  Background music fills the sound of silence
• Using Webcam and videoconferencing
• Chatting via Instant Messaging

Still working for your old employer, but at home?

Remember those training sessions which were sometimes a drag?  Become outrageously optimistic and look forward to joining in now and finding out what’s new.  It’s a great way to keep your office-based colleagues onside and friendly.  You’ll stay in the social loop too.

When things get tough, share difficulties with your office colleagues – bet your bottom dollar they’re going through similar trials and tribulations.   You’ll feel supported and more in control.

Are you a solopreneur?

Slot in a sanity check each week!  Sound a bit off-the-wall?  Take some time to see how you actually feel.  Creating balance and harmony within is key to your success.  Seize those inklings of loneliness before they turn into isolation blues. 

• Get together with other home based workers through online forums or start a local group and support each other.
• Take your laptop out to lunch or for a coffee if it all gets too much!  Being somewhere with the hustle and bustle of people can make all the difference.

What about the practicalities?

Are you skilled in the art of self-distraction?  It’s easy to fall into the

‘I’ll just  , , , “ syndrome with all those little tasks eating away at your valuable time.

  A seismic mind shift is taking place so a period of adjustment is inevitable.  If you want to be taken seriously your need to plan your working environment. 

Do you have:

• A dedicated work area – not just the kitchen table?
• Bright, cheerful décor that welcomes you each day?
• A business telephone line to keep work and home life separate?
• Computing and peripherals?
• Broadband?
• Proper furniture?
• Daylight – essential for a sense of wellbeing?
• Scanner and/or photocopier?
• Filing cabinet?
• Shredder for confidential paperwork?
• Good lighting?

BONUS:  The Inland Revenue and rebate are not words usually found in the same sentence – you just got lucky!  If you have a dedicated home office you may be able to deduct expenses, part of the mortgage interest, utilities and phone bills when used for business activity!

DON’T BLOT YOUR COPYBOOK:          If you’re a solopreneur you must register with the Inland Revenue within three months to avoid being fined.  Glory be, we want them to give us concessions, not penalise us!  Make this a priority.

That’s almost it with the boring stuff but, ‘important and boring’ needs to be addressed:

• Insurance – are you covered for all eventualities?
• Check out back-up systems for your precious computer information.

OK, so you’re almost ready to rock ‘n roll!  If you’re going to deliver a year round professional service, then you need to consider . . .

BOUNDARIES – for your own protection!

Let people know you mean business!

• Set your working day – start on time and switch off in every way at the end of the day.
• Stick to your guns – it’s not open season for neighbours, family and friends who fancy a coffee!
• Meet clients in hotels, restaurants or coffee shops if you find it stressful having strangers in your home and want to create an air of professionalism.

Be kind to yourself!

 

• Give yourself a break!  The human attention span is 21 minutes so keeping at it for hours without coming up for air is self-defeating.
• Don’t be a slave to your email – switch off the alert system so you’re not tempted to look each time you hear the tell-tale ‘ping’!
• Have a ‘To-Do’ list and DO IT!
• Prioritise – you can’t do everything!
• No man is an island – contact your contacts!
• Reward yourself for bite-sized achievements – watch your confidence grow!

Oil your business relationships regularly – they are your lifeline.  Giving and supporting will bring a helping hand when you need one.

You’re only human so don’t let ‘self can manage’ be your mantra.  Overwhelm creeps up unexpectedly and you may need to call in the cavalry now and then.  DO IT!  It’s takes strength to recognise when there’s a weakness.

Imagine how thrilled and elated you’ll feel in just a few short months when you look back at your fantastic success – dare to dream where you could be in five years! 

Remember, there are no limits to your success except those YOU place there!

DEPRIVED OF MEANINGFUL WORK, MEN AND WOMEN LOSE THEIR REASON FOR EXISTENCE; THEY GO STARK, RAVING MAD.
FEDOR DOSTOEVSKY 

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Coffee Shop Culture

March 18, 2010 | Uncategorized

 

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Success Is an Inside Job

February 18, 2010 | Uncategorized

SUCCESS IS AN INSIDE JOB

What does the word’success’ feel like?  No, not what does it make you think about but what emotions does it incite within your very being.  You don’t have to share your answer so be honest with yourself.    Are you perhaps:

• Excited
• Elated
• Worried
• Depressed
• Satisfied
• Feeling it’s unattainable
• Wishful

Is the concept of being successful frightening?  It’s at the top of most people’s wish list so why do so few achieve their goal?  Maybe holding the dream at arm’s length is comforting and, yes, excuses us from responsibility and action.

Everyone has a different perception of ‘success’ depending upon their individual experience and view of the world.  Some choose to see their glass as ‘half empty, some ‘half full’ and for the lucky few, their cup permanently runneth over!  They bounce back, no matter what they encounter; always positive, encouraging to self and others and open to opportunities as they present.

The Dictionary defines success in two ways:

• A favourable outcome to an undertaking; and
• The attainment of wealth or fame.

 

Two varied and subjective definitions.  What may be a ‘favourable outcome’ to one may not be viewed that way by another.   ‘Wealth’ covers financial wealth but also spiritual and emotional wealth, both of which are beyond price.  Without them life has no real value; the barren soul with a huge bank balance certainly wouldn’t be resting in the glow of success.

So, if we want success in every area of life, what holds us back?

Imagine the scene.  It’s match day and the rugby team is on the field.  They’ve had the ‘talk’, changing room bonding session and done the training.  The manager’s quietly optimistic – the lads are fit and capable of winning.  He knows because he’s taught them the basics, the tricks and to expect and plan for the unexpected.

So, it’s all to play for.  It’s a glorious afternoon, sunny but not too hot, the pitch is newly mown the white lines signalling their importance in their freshly painted whiteness.  The good humoured chanting of the crowd adds to the anticipation and the ref signals it’s ‘Game On’.  Both teams have a touch of the ball and the atmosphere is electric.  The crowd has quietened in anticipation of first blood.  Of course, each side thinks their boys the best and there’s safety in the crowd, surrounded by other like-minded supporters.  Not quite so comforting to be the odd-one-out in the opposing crowd, standing out as an individual of a different mental persuasion.

The ref blows – he wants a scrum.  He’s a little chap and the forwards tower over him, yet he holds the game within his control.  To ensure fairness, as each pack lock together ready to take on the opposing men, the ref says “Touch” to ensure the two sides are within reach of each other, then “engage” signalling they can start pushing and going about the business of the scrum.  They know what to do. 

Suddenly the crowd sinks into a confused silence.  They’ve never seen this before.  The tight head prop, the strongest man on the team, has stood up and failed to engage.  The ref asks what’s wrong.

“Oh, I don’t think I want to today.  It might hurt.  It might be uncomfortable.  Perhaps we won’t win.  Better not to engage at all.  Can we stop and perhaps try again next month.”

The frustration of the team manager is almost palpable.  “What’s his problem, the big girl’s blouse?  He knows what to do, he’s had the team talk, he’s capable of success this afternoon and he’s afraid to engage”, he says to his No. 2.

How ridiculous that scenario would be say, at Twickenham!  But that’s essentially what many people do every day and wonder why the success they think they really desire proves so elusive. 

Histor  reports Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity as:

 “Doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome!”

We do, don’t we?  And then bemoan our lot.  Stephen Covey in his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People” talks of the ‘circle of influence’.

According to Covey, the first habit of highly successful people is being proactive.  He differentiates proactive people from reactive people.  One factor which separates the two is where they focus their time and energy.

Whatever we face in life, we fall into two categories which Covey calls:  the Circle of Concern and the Circle of Influence.  According to him, proactive people focus their time and energy and efforts on their Circle of Influence – things which they can do something about.

However, reactive people focus their time and energy in the Circle of Concern – on things which they have little or no control over.  They are easily recognisable.  They’re the ones who blame and accuse and use ‘victim’ language.  Did you recognise yourself?  If so, well done!  You’ve just progressed!

The delivery suite is not a level playing field and we’re not born equal but, as Paul McKenna says in his book “Change Your Life in 7 Days,

“You are not responsible for the hand you have been dealt, but it is always up to you how you play it.”, believing that “Failure is an attitude, not an outcome”.  Interesting thoughts, don’t you think?

There’s another word to introduce at this point – choice.  How do those five characters make you feel?  Oh, now, that’s a scary one!  With choice comes responsibility for self; that’s right, nobody to blame.

Whether you are conscious of it or not you are always choosing.  How you arrived at where you are today is the product of all your past choices, conscious or otherwise.  They may have been deliberate, about events under your control, or born of fear, despair or anger – but they were all choices. 

If you want to be successful, take 100% responsibility for everything you experience in your life.  Doing this means giving up complaining, blaming and justifying.  At the end of each day, stop and think about what you did well, what you accomplished and what successes you had and write them down so you build a personal ‘Journal of Successes’ – a barometer of your success!

One final thought from a very influential gentleman, Henry Ford: 

“Whether you believe you can or you believe you can’t, you are right”

Janet Swift

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Networking – You’re a Natural!

January 18, 2010 | Uncategorized

NETWORKING – YOU’VE A NATURAL!

                          

Babies are such skilled operators, and with no training!  It doesn’t take them long to decide who needs to be in their network and they’re pretty ace at the call to action – ever tried ignoring it?  It’s an innate, natural and necessary response to their developing needs.

 So when does the self-consciousness kick in?  After all, networking is only communication in person, in writing, online or by ‘phone.  Business networking is no different but stepping out of a self-imposed comfort zone isn’t for the faint hearted!  If you don’t feel you’re a ‘natural’, DON’T PANIC!

Rocket science it isn’t, but some would rather launch into orbit than into a room of strangers.  Welcome, to the majority!  There are those (and we all know at least one!) who love being centre stage but comfort yourself with the thought they may be adrenalin junkies!  Listen to famous actors and they will say the day the ‘butterflies’ stop before a performance is the day they will retire.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a network as “A group or system of interconnected things” and networking as “Interacting with other to exchange information and develop useful contacts”. 

That’s not intimidating, is it?  We’re all in networks already – family, friends, sports teams, work colleagues and the list goes on. 

Involvement in the first networking experience – family life – taught us how to join in, negotiate, bargain and, yes, argue our point!  All invaluable skills – the same skill set needed for business networking!

What Does ‘Successful’ Networking Mean . . .?

Different things to different people!  Are you networking for yourself, your own business or perhaps an employer? 

• You may want to increase your social circle
• Perhaps your boss has said “Go forth and network”
• Maybe your want to invest time (and maybe money!) in your own business expansion

Whatever your personal motivation, you need to decide upon a strategy and keep it simple!  What works for you?

If you’re a bit daunted by the thought of a full-on business networking meeting (and the prospect of getting up before the dawn breaks to get there on time!), what about dipping your networking toe in cyber water?  Focus for the moment on what you can do and feel comfortable doing.  

Build your confidence slowly from the sanctuary of your comfort zone!  Start by joining online communities and message boards.   Enjoy yourself!  Forgot about that, didn’t you?  Oh yes, remember this is a business activity so don’t waste hours surfing the web ‘looking’ for networking opportunities.  Be focused on your areas of interest before you start!  If you work from home, you might choose to give online networking a miss in favour of some face-to-face human interaction!  Make sure you’re not just going to get out of the house!

Set Goals to Help You Focus . . .

Decide what you want to achieve personally and for your business from your networking activities.   You’re on verge of creating great positive momentum for you business so take your time and hone your focus.

On the business front, make sure your networking efforts truly reflect what your business stands for and where you want to take it.  Authenticity is key to personal enjoyment and achievement in networking activities. 

Why Would I Do Business With Me?

Silly question?  Not at all.  How much time have you spent thinking about what lies at the heart of your business (apart from profit!)?  Try looking in with a stranger’s eye – what could they gain from working with you?

Online or face-to-face, you’re the frontline.  In each case, professionalism rules, OK!

• Have you prepared answers about your product or service?
• What is unique about it?
• Is your enthusiasm for your product infectious?
• Can you describe your business CONCISELY?

Networking is an extension of your marketing and advertising activities so play the game called “Making Best Use of Your Contacts”!  Learn to sort the wheat from the chaff – concentrate only on what may help your business goals.

Where Shall I Go?

Heavens, you could be out every day at some venue or other – not cheap!

Think carefully about the size of group you would feel comfortable with.  Some ‘clubs’ have only around 20 places and take only one representative from each profession.  Chambers of Commerce may take 100 and have several members in the same field. 

Do you want to attend weekly, monthly or quarterly?  Realistically, how much time can you spare?

Don’t Be Selfish!

Everyone’s networking for the same basic reasons.  Taking time to listen to others is essential to gain the maximum from the experience.  Remember, too, listening is a great way of dealing with nerves!

There is a saying that we have two ears and one mouth and we should use them in those proportions!

Practice Active Listening – let the other person (who’s probably feeling just as nervous as you) know you’re taking in what is being said by nodding, smiling (yes, it is permitted) or encouraging them by agreeing with what they’re saying.  It’s hard to really listen.  Try not to leap in each time they stop for breath – you wouldn’t want to appear pushy, would you? 

Make it a pleasant and non-confrontational experience for all concerned.   Start to think how your new contact could perhaps fit into your plans.  

Remember though, this is a two-way street – think what you can offer to others if you’re looking for long-term benefits.  You know how good it feels to receive recognition, so make an effort to recognise the importance of everyone in the network.  Reaching out to others and helping them is a great way to increase confidence.

Perhaps you might consider:

• How can I help this person meet their goals?
• Can they help me reach mine?
• Are there any networks that will help us both?
• Can we work together positively in the future?

Be Genuine . . .

You know how irritating it is to speak with someone who’s constantly looking over your shoulder – likewise for them!  Not everyone is going to be ‘a match made in Heaven’.  Sometimes it’s best just to acknowledge that and move on. 

Mies van der Rohe said “Less is more”.  The quality and relevance of the groups you chose is the key effective networking.  Don’t waste your precious time if there’s no return on your investment! 

Before Joining. . .

• Consider whether the group will help you reach your goals
• Find out what it’ll cost
• Seek out and talk to existing members – they’ll tell you the truth!
• Investigate how efficient the organisers are

             - do they send out information in good time?

             – do they arrange business-related events?

             - do they issue a copy of the guest list in advance?

• Find out if you can visit as a guest before committing yourself

The Pitfalls. . .

If you’re entering uncharted waters, be aware of possible personal malfunctions – oh yes, even the seasoned pro can fall victim without warning.  Forewarned is forearmed!

Malfunction 1 – The Humour Bypass

Relax and enjoy the moment.  Allow yourself to be who you are and your personality will carry you through.

Malfunction 2 – Loss of Memory

Won’t happen to you – no, of course it won’t!  Don’t panic if you forget a name or face or what you wanted to say!  There’s no shame in taking prepared notes with you or jotting down information a fellow networker might mention.  They’ll probably be flattered that you considered what they had to say so important!

Malfunction 3 – Uncharacteristic Odd or Embarrassing Behaviour

Don’t juggle food, business cards and a drink while trying to shake hands with an important (or unimportant!) new contact – it could end in a messy disaster. 

It’s unflattering to look as though you haven’t eaten in a fortnight or that you’re only there for the vino. 

Malfunction 4 – Looking Like You Need Oxygen

Nerves can do strange things to a person.  If you feel yourself hyperventilating don’t leave it until fellow guests need to find a paper bag for you to breathe into!  Calm yourself by slowing down and taking some deep breaths.  This will also help to stop a racing heartbeat and make you look calm and collected and, most importantly, prevent you passing out!

Malfunction 5 – Gabbling and Babbling

Nerves not only make the heart race but somehow speed up the speech too!  Again, pause and take a deep breath and listen to yourself.  

REMEMBER, THIS IS YOUR BIG MOMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT 

• Be yourself and be genuine
• Build confidence by looking the best you can
• Leave time and space to travel and park
• If you recognise anyone, speak with them first
• What will be best way to move around the room?
• Don’t be embarrassed to ask to be introduced to people
• Try not to talk too much
• Focus on your message, not yourself
• Practice your speech – don’t think you can wing it
• E N J O Y   Y O U R S E L F!

Networking is an essential part of building wealth.
Armstrong Williams

 

After The Event . . .

It’s not over, the work’s just beginning.  Follow up with the people you want to keep in contact with within 24-hours, if possible.

How do you want to do that – note, telephone call, email?  It doesn’t matter JUST TAKE ACTION!

Are you going to have a business card mountain on your desk or file them properly?  You know what you should do – when are you going to do it?

Prepare to do it all again!

~

IT ISN’T JUST WHAT YOU KNOW, AND IT ISN’T JUST WHO YOU KNOW. IT’S ACTUALLY WHO YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS YOU, AND WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING. ~

BOB BURG

 

Janet Swift

www.swiftlysorted.com

www.justjottings.com

www.reviewwithjanet.com

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