Tampa Singles from Mingle2
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Word Camp Still On My Mind
Sorry for the delay in my Word Camp report. I took a break and spent the weekend in Lake Tahoe. I forgot how beautiful and blue that lake really is.
I did however wear my Word Camp T-shirt and talk geek with some new friends I met in Tahoe. I love the shirt - it's a girl shirt , not an over-sized man's shirt like I often get at events. Okay, I realize I am totally rambling. Back to focusing on Word Camp.
Jeremy Wright talked about blog monetization. Content should be fantastic and ads should be ones that are valuable to your readers.
Jeremy said to think about... "Would you read your own blog?"
He also emphasized the point that although you can make money blogging, it takes a LOT of work to make a living off of blogging.
Check out what Tris Hussey had to say about Jeremy's talk.
I did however wear my Word Camp T-shirt and talk geek with some new friends I met in Tahoe. I love the shirt - it's a girl shirt , not an over-sized man's shirt like I often get at events. Okay, I realize I am totally rambling. Back to focusing on Word Camp.
Jeremy Wright talked about blog monetization. Content should be fantastic and ads should be ones that are valuable to your readers.
Jeremy said to think about... "Would you read your own blog?"
He also emphasized the point that although you can make money blogging, it takes a LOT of work to make a living off of blogging.
Check out what Tris Hussey had to say about Jeremy's talk.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Word Camp In My Sleep
I am a little embarrassed to admit this but last night I was talking in my sleep. You will never guess what I was caught saying? I said “Word Press Word Camp” in my sleep! I am not kidding. Proof that I actually am a geek!
Dvorak started the talk by saying bloggers should be credentialed. That statement kind of scares me. What happens to the one’s who are not credentialed? Kind of reminds me of the whole topic of Virtual Assistants – should they be certified or not? (note to self: stay focused to go there right now)
Take home tips of the topic:
- Dvorak suggested when blogging to consider not posting immediately. Let the post sit, come back and check it for errors, read it out loud to your self. (Maybe I should start doing this…)
- I also learned that it is not okay to call someone a crook on your blog unless they have been convicted of a crime.
Taking their advice to link when you can (when someone has already said what you want to say) here are some summaries of the talk I found from fellow Word Campers (that I didn’t actually meet in person): Stephanie Booth and Matthew Batchelder.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Word Camp 2007 In The News
I'm in the news. You have to look very closely at the beginning and ending clips to see me though. I'm sitting next to my new friend Deena.
Today I am going talk about my favorite speaker at the conference. She's not in the news clip but that's okay. Lorelle VanFossen is cool, she deserves a whole TV show for herself! In addition to being cool she did a much better write up of the conference then I ever will.
I love seeing women in the techie/geek world. We were definitely a minority but we were there! Lorelle is great! I think she may have missed her calling as a public speaker/comedian though.
She spoke about creating "Kicking Ass Content Connections". Some tips she offered on starting a blog conversation were to:
Today I am going talk about my favorite speaker at the conference. She's not in the news clip but that's okay. Lorelle VanFossen is cool, she deserves a whole TV show for herself! In addition to being cool she did a much better write up of the conference then I ever will.
I love seeing women in the techie/geek world. We were definitely a minority but we were there! Lorelle is great! I think she may have missed her calling as a public speaker/comedian though.
She spoke about creating "Kicking Ass Content Connections". Some tips she offered on starting a blog conversation were to:
- not write for your 8th grade teacher (your blog does not have to be an essay)
- don't blog the whole idea - leave some room for your readers to respond, incomplete thoughts allow your readers to respond.
- link back to other bloggers
- comment on other's blogs
Monday, July 23, 2007
How I Became a Geek! Word Camp 2007
How I became a geek? It all started when Becki Noles told me about Word Camp 2007. She got me all psyched to go.
While sitting at the conference a thought struck my mind... "what was the first website I ever saw?". All these people kept talking about back in 1996 or some other random year in the 90's and I realized, "wow I almost forgot the internet has not been around my whole life and I don't even remember when I first started using it or what the first www address was that I typed in to my computer. I got through high school and college without the internet... how on earth did I do that? I do remember having AOL and those chat rooms... but it's all kind of a blurry fog from then. I remember my Mac with the little green screen and waiting and waiting for AOL to load. Do you remember what the first www address you typed in was? What was the first website you ever saw?"
I think what I am going to do is post about one Word Camp session each day. There were tons of great session! I’m still on information overload. So, let’s start with Day 1.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Am I a geek?
In my never ending quest for knowledge I am heading to Word Camp tomorrow. I will be spending my weekend learning how to be a better blogger.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Are you Asking for the Sale?
Last night I attended a workshop on Nonviolent Communication, you can read more about it here. A point was made to always request/state your needs when in a conversation. Our words are often mis-understood.
I got to thinking how this could be applied when networking for our businesses. Do you let potential clients know your needs? Do you ask for the sale? They may not know you want to work with them or even have thought about the fact that you might be able to help them. Next time you are talking with a potential client try saying, "I'd really like to talk with you more about your business and ways I might be able to help you. Can we get together for coffee on Tuesday? or Can I call you on Monday to set up a phone meeting?" Now your potential client knows you are interested in them and they know you want to meet with them. I mean seriously, what is the worst thing that can happen? They might say they are busy or not interested. That's fine, now think about the best thing that can happen: you might get a new client or a great referral!
I got to thinking how this could be applied when networking for our businesses. Do you let potential clients know your needs? Do you ask for the sale? They may not know you want to work with them or even have thought about the fact that you might be able to help them. Next time you are talking with a potential client try saying, "I'd really like to talk with you more about your business and ways I might be able to help you. Can we get together for coffee on Tuesday? or Can I call you on Monday to set up a phone meeting?" Now your potential client knows you are interested in them and they know you want to meet with them. I mean seriously, what is the worst thing that can happen? They might say they are busy or not interested. That's fine, now think about the best thing that can happen: you might get a new client or a great referral!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Think and Grow Rich
All wealth is a product of mind. Some economists will try to convince you that wealth comes from productivity. Many people believe that wealth is a matter of ownership or the accumulation of possessions. They are blind to the truth. They see only effects, not causes.
It is ideas that produce wealth. The process of creating anything, including wealth, begins with the idealization, the conceptualization, the visualization. Everything that follows is simply the implementation of the original thought. Everyone has the capacity to think and to choose what and how to think. Therefore, everyone can be wealthy.
The great thing is that ideas are free. You don't have to exchange or pay anything to have an idea. The problem most people have is that they don't have any original ideas. Of course, it is possible to refine someone else's idea or to find a better way to implement someone else's idea and thereby create wealth. That is actually what most people do. But why not just come up with your own concept. After all, ideas are free. Yours for the asking. No cost.
Hold onto that thought. Something you can produce with no visible effort, something you can have an endless supply of, something that you can have for free, can make you wealthy. Just one simple idea.
Hey, why don't we create an online flea market?
Zap. eBay. A multi-billion dollar company.
Hey, why don't we create a 24-hour international TV news channel?
Zap. CNN.
Hey, why don't we create a better delivery system than the post office?
Zap. FedEx.
Hey, why don't we create a personal computer?
Zap. Apple Computer.
The experts at IBM laughed at the two Steves. "Who would want a computer in their home? You guys are nuts." Now IBM's business relies on the sale of PCs. And the world is a different place. What would your life be like without a personal computer?
His college professor gave Fred Smith a 'C' on his paper proposing the need for a guaranteed overnight delivery service. Now even the post office copies Fred's FedEx concept. Fred is wealthy. The prof is still not. Not wealthy and not thinking correctly. Thinks A ideas are C value.
Ted Turner knew nothing about TV. His business was outdoor advertising. Billboards. Now, the major TV networks copy little old upstart TBS. And now it is CNN/Time Warner/AOL.
Ideas. How great they are compared to tangible things. Here's why. If I have clay pots and you have apple pies, I can trade you a clay pot for an apple pie, but then I'd have one less clay pot and you'd have one less apple pie. But if I have an idea and you have an idea, I can trade you my idea for your idea and now we both have two ideas. Not only that, two ideas often act synergistically to make a third idea and maybe even a fourth or a fifth idea as well.
Tangible things do not grow when exchanged. They merely change hands. Ideas change the world. Tangible things do not create wealth. They are the effects of wealth creation. Ideas are the cause of wealth creation. Had any good or original ideas recently? You are equally as capable of having them as any one else. Ok, maybe you don't know how to think original thoughts. Improved upon anybody else's ideas lately? At least you can do that. No? The find a good idea and implement it. Copy. Mimic. Do the same thing.
Michael Dell did not invent the personal computer. DHL is merely copying FedEx. The boys at Google did not invent Internet search engines. They just built a better one. It was someone else's original idea.
I did not invent eBooks. Online marketing was not my original idea. I took my ideas, added the ideas of others and presto, a wealth creation business.
Yes, you can think and grow rich. I know. I have the proof. That's what I do. So can you. Go ahead; I dare you. Think. Idealize. Imagine. What if...
Why don't we create a...
______________________________________
© Leslie Fieger. All rights reserved worldwide.
Leslie is the author of The DELFIN Knowledge System Trilogy: The Initiation, The Journey and The Quest plus many more success publications. He also the co-author of The End of the World with Hugh Jeffries and Alexandra's DragonFire with his daughter Ashley. Subscribe to his free and ad-free eZine at http://www.ProsperityParadigm.com or http://www.LeslieFieger.com.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The Surreal World of Virtual Simplicity
When your partner thinks you are acting like an emoticon should you be worried?
Being a virtual professional /virtual assistant means I spend my working hours in the virtual world. I communicate with my clients, colleagues, friends and even my parents online! I've learned to express myself via emoticons. Anyone who works virtually and uses IM understands. Those that don't... well they usually look at me funny.
I also network online. I hang out in virtual forums such as VANA, The VA Revolution, Ryze, Myspace, and many more.
I could write a whole book (or 3) about my surreal virtual world and it would be full of an amazing group of colorful characters.
For those of you living outside the box it's hard to explain what happens inside of it. Client relationships are created. Support is given. Friendships are made. Bridges are built. Barriers are taken down. There is an incredible connection being made via humans these days and it is all happening in this little box you are staring at.
My partner, (the one who said I was acting like an emoticon) is amazed when I talk about my virtual friends, my virtual clients and the fact that the virtual money showing up in my email via paypal turns in to real money in our bank account. And not to mention the virtual friends I talk about that turn in to real friends sleeping on our couch.
I also network online. I hang out in virtual forums such as VANA, The VA Revolution, Ryze, Myspace, and many more.
I could write a whole book (or 3) about my surreal virtual world and it would be full of an amazing group of colorful characters.
For those of you living outside the box it's hard to explain what happens inside of it. Client relationships are created. Support is given. Friendships are made. Bridges are built. Barriers are taken down. There is an incredible connection being made via humans these days and it is all happening in this little box you are staring at.
My partner, (the one who said I was acting like an emoticon) is amazed when I talk about my virtual friends, my virtual clients and the fact that the virtual money showing up in my email via paypal turns in to real money in our bank account. And not to mention the virtual friends I talk about that turn in to real friends sleeping on our couch.
Monday, June 11, 2007
1 Step Program to Achieve All of Your Goals
By Wayne Perkins
In Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original "Chicken Soup for the Soul," I am reminded of the short story titled "Another Check Mark On the List." This is a story about a 15-year-old boy named John who, on one rainy day, when it was too wet outside to play, he decided to write a list of goals. John continued writing until he had 127 goals. These goals included exploring the Nile River, climbing high mountain peaks around the world and learning 3 foreign languages. He also wanted to be featured in a Rose Bowl Parade and play several musical instruments.
Of the 127 goals that he listed over 60 years ago, John has achieved 108. If he lives to become 75 years old he will achieve 109 (he listed "live to see the 21st Century"). How did John achieve all of these goals? He wrote them down.
Step 1 Write It Down:
Write it down, write it down, and write it down!
Have you ever got to a point where you were going to write down a New Year's Resolution or some other goal you thought you wanted, only to find yourself procrastinate. One year later, did you need to achieve the same New Year's Resolution or goal? Why does this happen?
It happens because of that little voice inside of you that says, "I am not good enough or worthy enough to be in possession of the benefits derived from achieving my goal." "I have been programmed for failure."
I recently read a motivational quote that said: "If you can't write it down, you can't do it."
Let us think about that for a minute. Every day you may be compiling lists of things to do to run your household, perform your job, or plan your business trip or vacation. How many times do you really write down, exactly what you want out of life?
How many long term or short-term goals do you write down?
Now when thinking about what you want to achieve focus your attention on specific words and ideas relating to your goals. Give those words and ideas your complete attention as you write them down.
Did you ever write a letter, business report, or term paper and at times find your fingers flying across the keyboard?
Since written words are symbols of objects, ideas, or feelings, could the physical process of entering these words onto a page actually create a subconscious connection?
I believe it does. When you use language to communicate on paper, you need to process the information on a subconscious level.
The help you are getting while creating your list of goals is coming straight from your powerful subconscious mind. Why not take advantage of the power of your mind in achieving your goals?
Write your goals down in your day planner, write them down, and hang them on your walls. Write your goals on sticky notes and place them on your bathroom mirror or on your windows.
Every time you write your goals down, your body is moving towards them. The goals are getting clearer and clearer. The roadmap you create by writing goals down projects straight to your subconscious mind and is being acted upon.
A now popular syndicated cartoonist wrote down 15 times a day, every day the following sentence. "I want to be a syndicated cartoonist." He did this every single day, even when he did not feel like a syndicated cartoonist. Now, Scott Adams, the creator of the "Dilbert Cartoon" is a full-time, syndicated cartoonist, known the world over. Scott "wrote it down."
One way to state that goal in a more positive and immediate context is to say, "I am a syndicated cartoonist." Act as if you already are in possession of the goal. It takes a lot of pressure off you during your daily activities when you feel the new role. You then become comfortable with it.
Write your goals down everywhere. As you write them down think about John, the 15-year-old goal achiever from the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" story. Now that John is in his seventies, what advice would John have for you when you ask him, "What is the most important thing I can do to achieve my goals?"
Listen to John whisper in your ear these three words... write it down.
Wayne F. Perkins is the Stress Annihilator for sales teams and executives. Wayne helps corporate clients achieve their goals. "Annihilate Stress an Propagate Hope" http://www.stressannihilation.com Phone: 602-647-4280
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Perkins
In Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original "Chicken Soup for the Soul," I am reminded of the short story titled "Another Check Mark On the List." This is a story about a 15-year-old boy named John who, on one rainy day, when it was too wet outside to play, he decided to write a list of goals. John continued writing until he had 127 goals. These goals included exploring the Nile River, climbing high mountain peaks around the world and learning 3 foreign languages. He also wanted to be featured in a Rose Bowl Parade and play several musical instruments.
Of the 127 goals that he listed over 60 years ago, John has achieved 108. If he lives to become 75 years old he will achieve 109 (he listed "live to see the 21st Century"). How did John achieve all of these goals? He wrote them down.
Step 1 Write It Down:
Write it down, write it down, and write it down!
Have you ever got to a point where you were going to write down a New Year's Resolution or some other goal you thought you wanted, only to find yourself procrastinate. One year later, did you need to achieve the same New Year's Resolution or goal? Why does this happen?
It happens because of that little voice inside of you that says, "I am not good enough or worthy enough to be in possession of the benefits derived from achieving my goal." "I have been programmed for failure."
I recently read a motivational quote that said: "If you can't write it down, you can't do it."
Let us think about that for a minute. Every day you may be compiling lists of things to do to run your household, perform your job, or plan your business trip or vacation. How many times do you really write down, exactly what you want out of life?
How many long term or short-term goals do you write down?
Now when thinking about what you want to achieve focus your attention on specific words and ideas relating to your goals. Give those words and ideas your complete attention as you write them down.
Did you ever write a letter, business report, or term paper and at times find your fingers flying across the keyboard?
Since written words are symbols of objects, ideas, or feelings, could the physical process of entering these words onto a page actually create a subconscious connection?
I believe it does. When you use language to communicate on paper, you need to process the information on a subconscious level.
The help you are getting while creating your list of goals is coming straight from your powerful subconscious mind. Why not take advantage of the power of your mind in achieving your goals?
Write your goals down in your day planner, write them down, and hang them on your walls. Write your goals on sticky notes and place them on your bathroom mirror or on your windows.
Every time you write your goals down, your body is moving towards them. The goals are getting clearer and clearer. The roadmap you create by writing goals down projects straight to your subconscious mind and is being acted upon.
A now popular syndicated cartoonist wrote down 15 times a day, every day the following sentence. "I want to be a syndicated cartoonist." He did this every single day, even when he did not feel like a syndicated cartoonist. Now, Scott Adams, the creator of the "Dilbert Cartoon" is a full-time, syndicated cartoonist, known the world over. Scott "wrote it down."
One way to state that goal in a more positive and immediate context is to say, "I am a syndicated cartoonist." Act as if you already are in possession of the goal. It takes a lot of pressure off you during your daily activities when you feel the new role. You then become comfortable with it.
Write your goals down everywhere. As you write them down think about John, the 15-year-old goal achiever from the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" story. Now that John is in his seventies, what advice would John have for you when you ask him, "What is the most important thing I can do to achieve my goals?"
Listen to John whisper in your ear these three words... write it down.
Wayne F. Perkins is the Stress Annihilator for sales teams and executives. Wayne helps corporate clients achieve their goals. "Annihilate Stress an Propagate Hope" http://www.stressannihilation.com Phone: 602-647-4280
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Perkins
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Productivity Tips for Simplifying Your Life
I got tagged! Connie McVicker of Signature Worx who designed my super cool logo and made me the hippest business cards in town, tagged me! I love being tagged... it's that little push that inspires a new blog post. This tag topic was originally started by Ben Yoskovitz on the Instigator Blog.
My best advice for being productive is to set schedules and build routines in to your life.
My business has blossomed in beautiful ways over the last year thanks to all the support I have received from my special friends at the VA Revolution and VANA forums. Because of this rapid growth in my business I had to stop, reflect and get reorganized fast!
What I have found most helpful in being productive is setting a schedule, planning routines and sticking to them. I have a certain amount of hours blocked out on my calendar for each client every day.
Each week I review my master to do list, prioritize it and then plug time in to my calendar for the upcoming week. For instance, on Monday 9AM - 11AM will be Client A, 11:30AM - 12:30PM Client B, etc... I leave a half hour between each client to check emails, return phone calls, get refocused, take a small break, etc. Like Connie suggested, I turn off my email while I am focused on client work. I only check email at designated times. This one little step will change your life. Turn off those email notifications!!!
I also find following regular routines helps tremendously. For example, every morning I empty the dishwasher while waiting for my coffee to brew and I start a load of laundry before hopping in the shower. I always shower and get dressed before starting my day of work. Even though I am working from home and there is a good chance that no one will see me, I like to be ready for opportunities. What if a friend calls and invites me out for coffee at the last minute? If I am dressed, I am able to go meet her at the coffee shop right away. You never know... I might happen to meet my next potential client during that coffee date.
I've found that keeping a master to do list and breaking it down in to daily tasks allows me to be much more productive. To me, it's all about breaking it down in to doable tasks. Once I have decided what I am going to work on each day I then prioritize the daily task list and start doing the tasks one task at a time. I love it when I get to check that task off my list.
Now, it is my turn to tag some people. I tag Becki Noles and Jennifer Gniadecki. I'm looking forward to hearing your tips!
My best advice for being productive is to set schedules and build routines in to your life.
My business has blossomed in beautiful ways over the last year thanks to all the support I have received from my special friends at the VA Revolution and VANA forums. Because of this rapid growth in my business I had to stop, reflect and get reorganized fast!
What I have found most helpful in being productive is setting a schedule, planning routines and sticking to them. I have a certain amount of hours blocked out on my calendar for each client every day.
Each week I review my master to do list, prioritize it and then plug time in to my calendar for the upcoming week. For instance, on Monday 9AM - 11AM will be Client A, 11:30AM - 12:30PM Client B, etc... I leave a half hour between each client to check emails, return phone calls, get refocused, take a small break, etc. Like Connie suggested, I turn off my email while I am focused on client work. I only check email at designated times. This one little step will change your life. Turn off those email notifications!!!
I also find following regular routines helps tremendously. For example, every morning I empty the dishwasher while waiting for my coffee to brew and I start a load of laundry before hopping in the shower. I always shower and get dressed before starting my day of work. Even though I am working from home and there is a good chance that no one will see me, I like to be ready for opportunities. What if a friend calls and invites me out for coffee at the last minute? If I am dressed, I am able to go meet her at the coffee shop right away. You never know... I might happen to meet my next potential client during that coffee date.
I've found that keeping a master to do list and breaking it down in to daily tasks allows me to be much more productive. To me, it's all about breaking it down in to doable tasks. Once I have decided what I am going to work on each day I then prioritize the daily task list and start doing the tasks one task at a time. I love it when I get to check that task off my list.
Now, it is my turn to tag some people. I tag Becki Noles and Jennifer Gniadecki. I'm looking forward to hearing your tips!
Here are the rules from the Instigator Blog:
- Write a post on your best productivity tips.
- Include links to other people that have written posts, or include their tips in your post with proper attribution.
- If you use Technorati Tags, then tag your post “ultimate guide to productivity.”
- Tag others in your post to spread the meme. Tag as many people as you like!
- If you link back to Instigator Blog and email Ben, he’ll be sure to include at least 2 links back to you.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
The Power of Positive Self-Talk
By: Brian Tracy
Perhaps the most powerful influence on your attitude and personality is what you say to yourself, and believe. It is not what happens to you, but how you respond internally to what happens to you, that determines your thoughts and felling and, ultimately, your actions. By controlling your inner dialogue, or self-talk, you can begin to assert control over every other dimension of your life.
Your self-talk, the words that you use to describe what is happening to you, and to discuss how you feel about external events, determines the quality and tone of your emotional life. When you see things positively and constructively and look for the good in each situation and each person, you have a tendency to remain naturally positive and optimistic. Since the quality of your life is determined by how you feel, moment to moment, one of your most important goals should be to use every psychological technique available to keep yourself thinking about what you want and to keep your mind off of what you don't want, or what you fear.
Arnold Toynbee, the historian, developed what he called the challenge-response theory of history. In studying the rise and fall of 20 major world civilizations, Toynbee concluded that each civilization started out as a small group of people - as a village, as a tribe or in the case of the Mongol empire, as just three people who had survived the destruction of their small community. Toynbee concluded that each of these small groups faced external challenges, such as hostile tribes. In order to survive, much less thrive, these small groups had to reorganize themselves to deal positively and constructively with these challenges.
By meeting each of these challenges successfully, the village or tribe would grow. Even greater challenges would be triggered as a result. And if this group of people continued to meet each challenge by drawing upon its resources and winning out, it would continue to grow until ultimately it became a nation-state and then a civilization covering a large geographical area.
Toynbee looked at the 21 great civilizations of human history, ending with the American civilization, and concluded that these civilizations began to decline and fall apart when their citizens and leaders lost the will or ability to rise to the inevitable external challenges occasioned by their very size and power.
Toynbee's theory of civilizations can be applicable to our life as well.
You are continually faced with challenges and difficulties, with problems and disappointments, with temporary setbacks and defeats. They are an unavoidable and inevitable part of being human. But, as you draw upon your resources to respond effectively to each challenge, you grow and become a stronger and better person. In fact, without those setbacks, you could not have learned what you needed to know and developed the qualities of your character to where they are today.
Much of your ability to succeed comes from the way you deal with life. One of the characteristics of superior men and women is that they recognize the inevitability of temporary disappointments and defeats, and they accept them as a normal and natural part of life. They do everything possible to avoid problems, but when problems come, superior people learn from them, rise above the, and continue onward in the direction of their dreams.
Dr. Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania has written a fascinating book based on his 25 years of research into this subject. It's titled Learned Optimism. In this book, Dr. Seligman explains the basic response patterns of both positive and negative people. As a result of his many years of work in cognitive therapy, and the use of exhaustive testing, he finds, quite simply, that optimistic people tend to interpret events in such a way that they keep their minds positive and their emotions under control.
Optimists develop the habit of talking to themselves in constructive ways. Whenever they experience an adversity, they immediately describe it to themselves in such a way that it loses its ability to trigger negative emotions and feelings of helplessness.
Dr. Seligman says that are three basic differences in the reactions of optimists and pessimists. The first difference is that the optimist sees a setback as temporary, while the pessimist sees it as permanent. The optimist sees an unfortunate event, such as an order that falls through or a sales call that fails, as a temporary event, something that is limited in time and that has no real impact on the future. The pessimist, on the other hand, sees negative events as permanent, as part of life and destiny.
For example, let's say that the optimistic salesperson makes 10 calls on likely prospects, and every one of those calls is unsuccessful. The optimist simply interprets this as a temporary event and a matter of averages or probabilities. The optimist concludes that, with every temporary failure, he is moving closer to the prospect who will turn into a sale. The optimist dismisses the event and goes on cheerfully to the 11th and 12th prospects.
The pessimist sees the same situation differently. The pessimist has a tendency to conclude that 10 unsuccessful sales calls is an indication that the economy is terrible and that there is no market for his product. The pessimist generalizes and begins to see the situation and his career as hopeless. While the optimist just shrugs it off and gets on with the next call, the pessimist becomes discouraged and loses heart and enthusiasm for the hard work of prospecting.
The second difference between the optimist and the pessimist is that the optimist sees difficulties as specific, while the pessimist sees them as pervasive. This means that when things go wrong for the optimist, he looks at the event as an isolated incident largely disconnected from other things that are going on in his life.
For example, if something you were counting on failed to materialize and you interpreted it to yourself as being an unfortunate event, but something that happens in the course of life and business, you would be reacting like an optimist. The pessimist, on the other hand, sees disappointments as being pervasive. That is, to him they are indications of a problem or shortcoming that pervades every area of life.
If a pessimist worked hard to put together a business deal and it collapsed, he would tend to assume that the deal did not work out was because the product or the company or the economy was in poor shape and the whole business was hopeless. The pessimist would tend to feel helpless, unable to make a difference and out of control of his destiny.
The third difference between optimists and pessimists is that optimists see events as external, while pessimists interpret events as personal. When things go wrong, the optimist will tend to see the setback as result from external factors over which one has little control.
If the optimist is cut off in traffic, for example, instead of getting angry or upset, he will simply downgrade the importance of the event by saying something like, �oh, well, I guess that person is just having a bad day.�
The pessimist has a tendency to take everything personally. If the pessimist is cut off in traffic, he will react as though the other driver has deliberately acted to upset and frustrate him. The pessimist will become angry and negative and want to strike out and get even. Often, he will honk his horn or yell at the other driver. There is a natural tendency in all of us to react emotionally when our expectations are frustrated in any way. When something we wanted and hoped for fails to materialize, we feel a temporary sense of disappointment and unhappiness. We feel disillusioned. We react as though we have been punched in the �emotional solar plexus�.
The optimistic person, however, soon moves beyond this disappointment. He responds quickly to the adverse event and interprets it as being temporary, specific and external to himself. The optimist takes full control of his inner dialogue and counters the negative feelings by immediately reframing the event so that it appear positive in some way.
Napoleon Hill, who, prior to writing his best-selling books on success, interviewed 500 of the most successful people in America, concluded that �Contained within a setback or disappointment is the seed of an equal or greater advantage or benefit.� And this is one of the great secrets of success.
Since your conscious mind can hold only one thought at a time, either positive or negative, if you deliberately choose a positive thought to dwell upon, you keep your mind optimistic and your emotions positive. Since your thoughts and feelings determine your actions, you will tend to be a more constructive person, and you will move much more rapidly toward the goals that you have chosen.
It all comes down to the way you talk to yourself on a regular basis. In our courses of problem solving and decisions making, we encourage people to respond to problems by changing their language from negative to positive. Instead of using the word problem, we encourage people to use the word situation. You see, a problem is something that you deal with. The event is the same. It's the way you interpret the event to yourself that makes it sound and appear completely different.
Even better than situation is the word challenge. Whenever you have a difficulty, immediately reframe it and choose to view it as a challenge. Rather than saying, �I have a problem,� say, �I have an interesting challenge facing me.� The word challenge is inherently positive. It is something that you rise to that makes you stronger and better. It is the same situation, only the word that you are using to describe it is different.
The best of all possible words is the word opportunity. When you are faced with a difficulty of any kind, instead of saying, �I have a problem,� you can say, �I am faced with an unexpected opportunity.� And if you concentrate your powers on finding out what that opportunity is-even if it is only a valuable lesson-you will certainly find it. As the parable says, �Seek and ye shall find, for all who seek find it.�
One of my favorite affirmative statements, which I use to deal with any unexpected difficulty, is this: Every situation is a positive situation if viewed as an opportunity for growth and self-mastery. Whenever something goes wrong, immediately neutralize its negative power by quickly reciting this statement.
If you are in sales, and your method of prospecting is not generating the results that you desire, you can view it as an opportunity for growth and self-mastery. The adversity you are facing may be meant to indicate to you that there is a better way to approach this task. Perhaps you should be prospecting in a different place, or with different people, or using a different script or a different method. Perhaps your difficulty is simply part of the process of developing the persistence and tenacity that you need to become successful in any kind of market. The difference between the winner and the loser is that the winner faces and deals with the adversity constructively, while the loser allows the adversity to overwhelm him.
The hallmark of the fully mature, fully functioning, self-actualizing personality is the ability to be objective and unemotional when caught up in the inevitable storms of daily life. The superior person has the ability to continue talking to himself in a positive and optimistic way, keeping his mind calm, clear and completely under control. The mature personality is more relaxed and aware and capable of interpreting events more realistically and less emotionally than is the immature personality. As a result, the mature person exerts a far greater sense of control and influence over his environment, and is far less likely to be angry, upset, or distracted.
The starting point in the process of becoming a highly effective person is to monitor and control your self-talk every minute of the day. Keep your thoughts and your words positive and consistent with your goals, and keep your mind focused on what you want to do and the person you want to be.
Here are five ideas you can use to help you to be a more positive and optimistic person:
First, resolve in advance that no matter what happens, you will not allow it to get you down. You will respond in a constructive way. You will take a deep breath, relax and look for whatever good the situation my contain. When you make this decision in advance, you mentally prepare yourself so that you are not knocked off balance when things go wrong, as they inevitably will.
Second, neutralize any negative thoughts or emotions by speaking to yourself positively all the time. Say things like, I feel healthy! I feel happy! I feel terrific! As you go about your job, say to yourself, I like myself, and I love my work! Say things like, Today is a great day; it's wonderful to be alive!� According to the law of expression, whatever is expressed is impressed. Whatever you say to yourself or others is impressed deeply into your subconscious mind and is likely to become a permanent part of your personality.
Third, look upon the inevitable setbacks that you face as being temporary, specific and external. View the negative situations as a single event that is not connected to other potential events and that is caused largely by external factors over which you can have little control. Simply refuse to see the event as being in any way permanent, pervasive or indicative of personal incompetence of inability.
Fourth, remember that it is impossible to learn and grow and become a successful person without adversity and difficulties. You must contend with and rise above them in order to become a better person. Welcome each difficulty by saying, That's good! and then look into the situation to find the good in it.
Finally, keep your thoughts on your goals and dreams, on the person you are working toward becoming. When things go wrong temporarily, respond by saying to yourself, �I believe in the perfect outcome of every situation in my life.� Resolve to be cheerful and pleasant, and resist every temptation toward negativity and disappointment. View a disappointment as an opportunity to grow stronger, and about it to yourself and others in a positive and optimistic way.
About Brian Tracy
Brian Tracy is a leading authority on personal and business success. As Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, he is the best-selling author of 17 books and over 300 audio and video learning programs. Copyright © 2001 Brian Tracy International. All Rights Reserved.
Perhaps the most powerful influence on your attitude and personality is what you say to yourself, and believe. It is not what happens to you, but how you respond internally to what happens to you, that determines your thoughts and felling and, ultimately, your actions. By controlling your inner dialogue, or self-talk, you can begin to assert control over every other dimension of your life.
Your self-talk, the words that you use to describe what is happening to you, and to discuss how you feel about external events, determines the quality and tone of your emotional life. When you see things positively and constructively and look for the good in each situation and each person, you have a tendency to remain naturally positive and optimistic. Since the quality of your life is determined by how you feel, moment to moment, one of your most important goals should be to use every psychological technique available to keep yourself thinking about what you want and to keep your mind off of what you don't want, or what you fear.
Arnold Toynbee, the historian, developed what he called the challenge-response theory of history. In studying the rise and fall of 20 major world civilizations, Toynbee concluded that each civilization started out as a small group of people - as a village, as a tribe or in the case of the Mongol empire, as just three people who had survived the destruction of their small community. Toynbee concluded that each of these small groups faced external challenges, such as hostile tribes. In order to survive, much less thrive, these small groups had to reorganize themselves to deal positively and constructively with these challenges.
By meeting each of these challenges successfully, the village or tribe would grow. Even greater challenges would be triggered as a result. And if this group of people continued to meet each challenge by drawing upon its resources and winning out, it would continue to grow until ultimately it became a nation-state and then a civilization covering a large geographical area.
Toynbee looked at the 21 great civilizations of human history, ending with the American civilization, and concluded that these civilizations began to decline and fall apart when their citizens and leaders lost the will or ability to rise to the inevitable external challenges occasioned by their very size and power.
Toynbee's theory of civilizations can be applicable to our life as well.
You are continually faced with challenges and difficulties, with problems and disappointments, with temporary setbacks and defeats. They are an unavoidable and inevitable part of being human. But, as you draw upon your resources to respond effectively to each challenge, you grow and become a stronger and better person. In fact, without those setbacks, you could not have learned what you needed to know and developed the qualities of your character to where they are today.
Much of your ability to succeed comes from the way you deal with life. One of the characteristics of superior men and women is that they recognize the inevitability of temporary disappointments and defeats, and they accept them as a normal and natural part of life. They do everything possible to avoid problems, but when problems come, superior people learn from them, rise above the, and continue onward in the direction of their dreams.
Dr. Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania has written a fascinating book based on his 25 years of research into this subject. It's titled Learned Optimism. In this book, Dr. Seligman explains the basic response patterns of both positive and negative people. As a result of his many years of work in cognitive therapy, and the use of exhaustive testing, he finds, quite simply, that optimistic people tend to interpret events in such a way that they keep their minds positive and their emotions under control.
Optimists develop the habit of talking to themselves in constructive ways. Whenever they experience an adversity, they immediately describe it to themselves in such a way that it loses its ability to trigger negative emotions and feelings of helplessness.
Dr. Seligman says that are three basic differences in the reactions of optimists and pessimists. The first difference is that the optimist sees a setback as temporary, while the pessimist sees it as permanent. The optimist sees an unfortunate event, such as an order that falls through or a sales call that fails, as a temporary event, something that is limited in time and that has no real impact on the future. The pessimist, on the other hand, sees negative events as permanent, as part of life and destiny.
For example, let's say that the optimistic salesperson makes 10 calls on likely prospects, and every one of those calls is unsuccessful. The optimist simply interprets this as a temporary event and a matter of averages or probabilities. The optimist concludes that, with every temporary failure, he is moving closer to the prospect who will turn into a sale. The optimist dismisses the event and goes on cheerfully to the 11th and 12th prospects.
The pessimist sees the same situation differently. The pessimist has a tendency to conclude that 10 unsuccessful sales calls is an indication that the economy is terrible and that there is no market for his product. The pessimist generalizes and begins to see the situation and his career as hopeless. While the optimist just shrugs it off and gets on with the next call, the pessimist becomes discouraged and loses heart and enthusiasm for the hard work of prospecting.
The second difference between the optimist and the pessimist is that the optimist sees difficulties as specific, while the pessimist sees them as pervasive. This means that when things go wrong for the optimist, he looks at the event as an isolated incident largely disconnected from other things that are going on in his life.
For example, if something you were counting on failed to materialize and you interpreted it to yourself as being an unfortunate event, but something that happens in the course of life and business, you would be reacting like an optimist. The pessimist, on the other hand, sees disappointments as being pervasive. That is, to him they are indications of a problem or shortcoming that pervades every area of life.
If a pessimist worked hard to put together a business deal and it collapsed, he would tend to assume that the deal did not work out was because the product or the company or the economy was in poor shape and the whole business was hopeless. The pessimist would tend to feel helpless, unable to make a difference and out of control of his destiny.
The third difference between optimists and pessimists is that optimists see events as external, while pessimists interpret events as personal. When things go wrong, the optimist will tend to see the setback as result from external factors over which one has little control.
If the optimist is cut off in traffic, for example, instead of getting angry or upset, he will simply downgrade the importance of the event by saying something like, �oh, well, I guess that person is just having a bad day.�
The pessimist has a tendency to take everything personally. If the pessimist is cut off in traffic, he will react as though the other driver has deliberately acted to upset and frustrate him. The pessimist will become angry and negative and want to strike out and get even. Often, he will honk his horn or yell at the other driver. There is a natural tendency in all of us to react emotionally when our expectations are frustrated in any way. When something we wanted and hoped for fails to materialize, we feel a temporary sense of disappointment and unhappiness. We feel disillusioned. We react as though we have been punched in the �emotional solar plexus�.
The optimistic person, however, soon moves beyond this disappointment. He responds quickly to the adverse event and interprets it as being temporary, specific and external to himself. The optimist takes full control of his inner dialogue and counters the negative feelings by immediately reframing the event so that it appear positive in some way.
Napoleon Hill, who, prior to writing his best-selling books on success, interviewed 500 of the most successful people in America, concluded that �Contained within a setback or disappointment is the seed of an equal or greater advantage or benefit.� And this is one of the great secrets of success.
Since your conscious mind can hold only one thought at a time, either positive or negative, if you deliberately choose a positive thought to dwell upon, you keep your mind optimistic and your emotions positive. Since your thoughts and feelings determine your actions, you will tend to be a more constructive person, and you will move much more rapidly toward the goals that you have chosen.
It all comes down to the way you talk to yourself on a regular basis. In our courses of problem solving and decisions making, we encourage people to respond to problems by changing their language from negative to positive. Instead of using the word problem, we encourage people to use the word situation. You see, a problem is something that you deal with. The event is the same. It's the way you interpret the event to yourself that makes it sound and appear completely different.
Even better than situation is the word challenge. Whenever you have a difficulty, immediately reframe it and choose to view it as a challenge. Rather than saying, �I have a problem,� say, �I have an interesting challenge facing me.� The word challenge is inherently positive. It is something that you rise to that makes you stronger and better. It is the same situation, only the word that you are using to describe it is different.
The best of all possible words is the word opportunity. When you are faced with a difficulty of any kind, instead of saying, �I have a problem,� you can say, �I am faced with an unexpected opportunity.� And if you concentrate your powers on finding out what that opportunity is-even if it is only a valuable lesson-you will certainly find it. As the parable says, �Seek and ye shall find, for all who seek find it.�
One of my favorite affirmative statements, which I use to deal with any unexpected difficulty, is this: Every situation is a positive situation if viewed as an opportunity for growth and self-mastery. Whenever something goes wrong, immediately neutralize its negative power by quickly reciting this statement.
If you are in sales, and your method of prospecting is not generating the results that you desire, you can view it as an opportunity for growth and self-mastery. The adversity you are facing may be meant to indicate to you that there is a better way to approach this task. Perhaps you should be prospecting in a different place, or with different people, or using a different script or a different method. Perhaps your difficulty is simply part of the process of developing the persistence and tenacity that you need to become successful in any kind of market. The difference between the winner and the loser is that the winner faces and deals with the adversity constructively, while the loser allows the adversity to overwhelm him.
The hallmark of the fully mature, fully functioning, self-actualizing personality is the ability to be objective and unemotional when caught up in the inevitable storms of daily life. The superior person has the ability to continue talking to himself in a positive and optimistic way, keeping his mind calm, clear and completely under control. The mature personality is more relaxed and aware and capable of interpreting events more realistically and less emotionally than is the immature personality. As a result, the mature person exerts a far greater sense of control and influence over his environment, and is far less likely to be angry, upset, or distracted.
The starting point in the process of becoming a highly effective person is to monitor and control your self-talk every minute of the day. Keep your thoughts and your words positive and consistent with your goals, and keep your mind focused on what you want to do and the person you want to be.
Here are five ideas you can use to help you to be a more positive and optimistic person:
First, resolve in advance that no matter what happens, you will not allow it to get you down. You will respond in a constructive way. You will take a deep breath, relax and look for whatever good the situation my contain. When you make this decision in advance, you mentally prepare yourself so that you are not knocked off balance when things go wrong, as they inevitably will.
Second, neutralize any negative thoughts or emotions by speaking to yourself positively all the time. Say things like, I feel healthy! I feel happy! I feel terrific! As you go about your job, say to yourself, I like myself, and I love my work! Say things like, Today is a great day; it's wonderful to be alive!� According to the law of expression, whatever is expressed is impressed. Whatever you say to yourself or others is impressed deeply into your subconscious mind and is likely to become a permanent part of your personality.
Third, look upon the inevitable setbacks that you face as being temporary, specific and external. View the negative situations as a single event that is not connected to other potential events and that is caused largely by external factors over which you can have little control. Simply refuse to see the event as being in any way permanent, pervasive or indicative of personal incompetence of inability.
Fourth, remember that it is impossible to learn and grow and become a successful person without adversity and difficulties. You must contend with and rise above them in order to become a better person. Welcome each difficulty by saying, That's good! and then look into the situation to find the good in it.
Finally, keep your thoughts on your goals and dreams, on the person you are working toward becoming. When things go wrong temporarily, respond by saying to yourself, �I believe in the perfect outcome of every situation in my life.� Resolve to be cheerful and pleasant, and resist every temptation toward negativity and disappointment. View a disappointment as an opportunity to grow stronger, and about it to yourself and others in a positive and optimistic way.
About Brian Tracy
Brian Tracy is a leading authority on personal and business success. As Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, he is the best-selling author of 17 books and over 300 audio and video learning programs. Copyright © 2001 Brian Tracy International. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Virtual Assistant on NBC!!!
NBC Today Show Showcases Colorado Virtual Assistant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen L. Reddick, MVA
Tel: (720) 870-6435
E-mail: Karen@VandEServices.com
Website: http://www.vandeservices.com
CENTENNIAL, CO (April 2007) – Six years ago if anyone had told Karen Reddick that the growing industry she has been working hard to promote would finally receive its day in the limelight with a segment on the NBC Today Show, she wouldn’t have believed it. It’s a dream come true to see the industry she is passionate about get national attention. Reddick is a Virtual Assistant (VA) who helps small businesses successfully run their businesses virtually from her home office. When an NBC correspondent got wind that there was such a business, they became intrigued and decided to pursue the story. NBC flew to Reddick’s home office in Centennial to film a typical day at the office. They also set up a crew at one of Reddick’s client’s office 850 miles away in the St. Louis area to show how easy and efficient working with a VA can be. The piece is scheduled to air in April.
Reddick, owner of V-And-E Services, is a former executive assistant and originally conceived the idea for her business in October 2001 immediately following 9/11. Starting her new career was her way to put family first and be home for her then pre-teenage daughter. Reddick helps clients by working remotely and uses the latest technology to deliver creative administrative support and technical business services to busy professionals. Projects are often handled over the phone, by fax, e-mail and instant messaging.
Most attractive to her clients is perhaps the fact that Virtual Assistants are responsible for their own taxes, training, healthcare, insurance, and overhead costs that make hiring an in-house employee expensive. Reddick states, “My clients pay only for the time actually spent working on their projects. They don’t pay for my coffee breaks, visits to colleagues or other things that happen in a normal office environment. This is a great benefit for them to pay on an as-needed basis.”
Reddick is also the author of The A-Z Guide: The Best Ways to Work With a Virtual Assistant, which shows businesses exactly what a VA can do for them. In her A-Z Guide, Reddick starts with the letter A and highlights typical services such as administrative assistance, ad campaigns, appointment setting, auto responders; B--bookkeeping, branding, brochures, bulk mailings; C--concierge services, copywriting, contact list management and so on. It clearly helps businesses and virtual assistants see exactly what a VA can do for them and highlights tasks they might not have even considered.
“I think this industry will just continue to grow,” Reddick adds. “This used to seem like a radical concept; and now hopefully with this national recognition it will allow other business owners to realize how using a Virtual Assistant can streamline their administrative tasks and save them time and money.”
As proof that the industry is growing, Diana Ennen of http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com recently landed an interview in Reader’s Digest, where she was able to spread the news of the Virtual Assistant Industry. The article talks about making money while working at home, stating “If you possess word processing, transcription, bookkeeping, public relations, or website design skills, you may want to try employment as a virtual assistant. Ennen is quoted as saying, “There is so much work for VAs that the field is thriving. It is absolutely booming.” And Ennen believes this with all her heart.
Look for this segment airing on NBC sometime in April. Stop by Reddick’s site at: http://www.vandeservices.com for additional information on the VA industry and her services.
About V-And-E-Services: V-And-E-Services specializes in “taking the administrative weight off the shoulders” of the small business owner and/or entrepreneur so they can concentrate on making their business grow. Visit http://www.vandeservices.com for more information. Reddick also offers a weekly newsletter entitled Grammar Tips From The Red Editor, a division of V-And-E-Services. http://www.theredpeneditor.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen L. Reddick, MVA
Tel: (720) 870-6435
E-mail: Karen@VandEServices.com
Website: http://www.vandeservices.com
CENTENNIAL, CO (April 2007) – Six years ago if anyone had told Karen Reddick that the growing industry she has been working hard to promote would finally receive its day in the limelight with a segment on the NBC Today Show, she wouldn’t have believed it. It’s a dream come true to see the industry she is passionate about get national attention. Reddick is a Virtual Assistant (VA) who helps small businesses successfully run their businesses virtually from her home office. When an NBC correspondent got wind that there was such a business, they became intrigued and decided to pursue the story. NBC flew to Reddick’s home office in Centennial to film a typical day at the office. They also set up a crew at one of Reddick’s client’s office 850 miles away in the St. Louis area to show how easy and efficient working with a VA can be. The piece is scheduled to air in April.
Reddick, owner of V-And-E Services, is a former executive assistant and originally conceived the idea for her business in October 2001 immediately following 9/11. Starting her new career was her way to put family first and be home for her then pre-teenage daughter. Reddick helps clients by working remotely and uses the latest technology to deliver creative administrative support and technical business services to busy professionals. Projects are often handled over the phone, by fax, e-mail and instant messaging.
Most attractive to her clients is perhaps the fact that Virtual Assistants are responsible for their own taxes, training, healthcare, insurance, and overhead costs that make hiring an in-house employee expensive. Reddick states, “My clients pay only for the time actually spent working on their projects. They don’t pay for my coffee breaks, visits to colleagues or other things that happen in a normal office environment. This is a great benefit for them to pay on an as-needed basis.”
Reddick is also the author of The A-Z Guide: The Best Ways to Work With a Virtual Assistant, which shows businesses exactly what a VA can do for them. In her A-Z Guide, Reddick starts with the letter A and highlights typical services such as administrative assistance, ad campaigns, appointment setting, auto responders; B--bookkeeping, branding, brochures, bulk mailings; C--concierge services, copywriting, contact list management and so on. It clearly helps businesses and virtual assistants see exactly what a VA can do for them and highlights tasks they might not have even considered.
“I think this industry will just continue to grow,” Reddick adds. “This used to seem like a radical concept; and now hopefully with this national recognition it will allow other business owners to realize how using a Virtual Assistant can streamline their administrative tasks and save them time and money.”
As proof that the industry is growing, Diana Ennen of http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com recently landed an interview in Reader’s Digest, where she was able to spread the news of the Virtual Assistant Industry. The article talks about making money while working at home, stating “If you possess word processing, transcription, bookkeeping, public relations, or website design skills, you may want to try employment as a virtual assistant. Ennen is quoted as saying, “There is so much work for VAs that the field is thriving. It is absolutely booming.” And Ennen believes this with all her heart.
Look for this segment airing on NBC sometime in April. Stop by Reddick’s site at: http://www.vandeservices.com for additional information on the VA industry and her services.
About V-And-E-Services: V-And-E-Services specializes in “taking the administrative weight off the shoulders” of the small business owner and/or entrepreneur so they can concentrate on making their business grow. Visit http://www.vandeservices.com for more information. Reddick also offers a weekly newsletter entitled Grammar Tips From The Red Editor, a division of V-And-E-Services. http://www.theredpeneditor.com.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Gossiping
Living with 3 teenagers and overhearing conversations they have when friends are over I know all too well about gossiping and how hurtful in can be. In this day and age with the internet gossip can travel at light speed. I try to explain this to my girls... never write something about someone else in IM, Myspace, Email, Chat rooms, your Blog, text message or anywhere that you would not be comfortable saying to that persons face. In this day and age... integrity is incredibly important to possess. Gossip is not just a teenage girl phenomena... it happens everywhere. We all do it. I do it. My friends do it. My dog would do it, but he can't talk. I found this article... thought I'd share. Next time you start to type something about someone else... stop and think how you would feel if you knew they were going to be reading it or how they would feel...
Esther Muller - Gossip Hurting the Industry
By Esther Muller
"Fair words never hurt the tongue." —George Chapman, seventeenth century English poet.
After a few recent instances where my colleagues’ words scorched professional earth like runaway forest fires, I find myself wishing that more of my fellow real estate brokers would take Chapman’s wise words to heart.
Allow me to share a couple of examples. While enjoying an evening out at a real estate event with a friend of mine, another colleague came over and blurted out to my friend, "I heard how you treated your ex-husband!" Needless to say, we were both shocked at this woman’s indiscreet and unprofessional outburst. Later, I found out that she got this alleged tidbit from my friend’s doorman.
At another event, also related to real estate, I heard biting words about one of our industry’s rising stars — an acquaintance of mine. The verbal venom took my breath away. What dismayed me — and many others in attendance — was the casual ease with which others partook in what I can only describe as a conversational lynching.
What is particularly sad is that the allegations from both incidents were completely false. Yet they were said — and spread — as if they were the truth. Unfortunately, these two incidents are not aberrations; they are becoming more and more commonplace, and accepted, within our industry. It’s not just a lack of civility that bothers me — it’s the idea that the malicious chatter of a few will discredit most of us.
"Words have the ability to create their own reality," says Allan Schranz, who has lectured on the power and impact of language. Hurtful, spiteful words can take on a life of their own. Truthful or not, they can have a severe, devastating impact on a person’s reputation or career. According to a Gannet News Service article that quotes Schranz, "gossip can undermine workplace morale, affect productivity and lead to bottom-line problems." Some people engage in this activity for a specific reason. "They know the consequences of their actions," says Schranz. "For them, this is a strategic way to advance their own cause."
We’ve all gossiped, but have we ever considered the consequences of our words? "Negative language not only reflects badly about the person you are speaking of," says Schranz. "It also reflects poorly on you."
Think about what’s at stake: if Broker A will say something negative about Broker B, what is he saying about you or me? Would I really want to work with — or trust — Broker A, knowing that he may speak negatively of me?
So what can we do? A suggestion: we need to become more verbally aware and more sensitive as to how our words may affect others. "People have to be trained to listen to themselves," says Schranz. This can be extremely revealing. We may not like what we hear, but we can learn from it.
This business is full of talented professionals. When was the last time you offered a compliment to a colleague on his or her exceptional work? Nobody has ever resented receiving praise, says Deborah Tannen, Ph.D., the linguist and author of the book "Talking From 9 to 5." By building up another person, you create a positive reputation for yourself, as well as creating a foundation of trust and goodwill, all of which you may need for a challenging deal that requires outside assistance.
The next time you feel the urge to gossip, stop. You may accomplish more by saying nothing at all.
-
Ms. Muller is the master teacher at The Real Estate Academy
Esther Muller - Gossip Hurting the Industry
By Esther Muller
"Fair words never hurt the tongue." —George Chapman, seventeenth century English poet.
After a few recent instances where my colleagues’ words scorched professional earth like runaway forest fires, I find myself wishing that more of my fellow real estate brokers would take Chapman’s wise words to heart.
Allow me to share a couple of examples. While enjoying an evening out at a real estate event with a friend of mine, another colleague came over and blurted out to my friend, "I heard how you treated your ex-husband!" Needless to say, we were both shocked at this woman’s indiscreet and unprofessional outburst. Later, I found out that she got this alleged tidbit from my friend’s doorman.
At another event, also related to real estate, I heard biting words about one of our industry’s rising stars — an acquaintance of mine. The verbal venom took my breath away. What dismayed me — and many others in attendance — was the casual ease with which others partook in what I can only describe as a conversational lynching.
What is particularly sad is that the allegations from both incidents were completely false. Yet they were said — and spread — as if they were the truth. Unfortunately, these two incidents are not aberrations; they are becoming more and more commonplace, and accepted, within our industry. It’s not just a lack of civility that bothers me — it’s the idea that the malicious chatter of a few will discredit most of us.
"Words have the ability to create their own reality," says Allan Schranz, who has lectured on the power and impact of language. Hurtful, spiteful words can take on a life of their own. Truthful or not, they can have a severe, devastating impact on a person’s reputation or career. According to a Gannet News Service article that quotes Schranz, "gossip can undermine workplace morale, affect productivity and lead to bottom-line problems." Some people engage in this activity for a specific reason. "They know the consequences of their actions," says Schranz. "For them, this is a strategic way to advance their own cause."
We’ve all gossiped, but have we ever considered the consequences of our words? "Negative language not only reflects badly about the person you are speaking of," says Schranz. "It also reflects poorly on you."
Think about what’s at stake: if Broker A will say something negative about Broker B, what is he saying about you or me? Would I really want to work with — or trust — Broker A, knowing that he may speak negatively of me?
So what can we do? A suggestion: we need to become more verbally aware and more sensitive as to how our words may affect others. "People have to be trained to listen to themselves," says Schranz. This can be extremely revealing. We may not like what we hear, but we can learn from it.
This business is full of talented professionals. When was the last time you offered a compliment to a colleague on his or her exceptional work? Nobody has ever resented receiving praise, says Deborah Tannen, Ph.D., the linguist and author of the book "Talking From 9 to 5." By building up another person, you create a positive reputation for yourself, as well as creating a foundation of trust and goodwill, all of which you may need for a challenging deal that requires outside assistance.
The next time you feel the urge to gossip, stop. You may accomplish more by saying nothing at all.
-
Ms. Muller is the master teacher at The Real Estate Academy
Monday, May 21, 2007
My Dog Poncho
Obviously this blog is still evolving. Is it for business, coaching, Virtual Assistants, my friends, my clients, strangers? Who knows! I'm still trying to figure that out. Today it is for my ramblings.
I'm pleased to announce that my dog Poncho made it in to a blog. Although it is a blog written by a cat who doesn't think very highly of dogs... Poncho is still honored to be mentioned. If you'd like to read more about Poncho check out: The Life of a Cat
I'm pleased to announce that my dog Poncho made it in to a blog. Although it is a blog written by a cat who doesn't think very highly of dogs... Poncho is still honored to be mentioned. If you'd like to read more about Poncho check out: The Life of a Cat
Here is prince Poncho sleeping with the princess. Notice the photo on the night stand...
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Wall Street Journal and Reader’s Digest Explore the Thriving Virtual Assistant Industry
Congratulations Kelly!
Another 8 Hours Publishing
(WebWire) 5/8/2007 10:45:07 AM
O’Fallon, IL (May, 2007) — The Virtual Assistant Industry shines this month when two major publications recognize the profession and provide tips for getting started. The Wall Street Journal quotes best selling author Paul Edwards as saying, “Virtual assistants provide services ranging from administrative support to consulting via e-mail, fax and phone.” The article continues recommending several books for getting started, including Virtual Assistant–The Series by Diana Ennen and Kelly Poelker. http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/workfamily/20070504-workfamily.html
In the May issue of Reader’s Digest, an article entitled New Ways to Make a Bundle states, “If you possess word processing, transcription, bookkeeping, public relations, or website design skills, you may want to try employment as a virtual assistant. Ennen is quoted as saying, “There is so much work for VAs that the field is thriving. It is absolutely booming.” The important thing is to use your own skills and expertise to build your business. Starting a virtual assistant business isn’t a get rich quick scheme. It takes time and talent, but those who succeed can’t imagine doing anything else. Clients are grateful to have talented, highly skilled, and motivated virtual assistants to support their business growth.
Ennen and Poelker’s book, Virtual Assistant – The Series has become what many call the Bible in the Virtual Assistant Industry inspiring readers and providing priceless tools on everything from choosing the right specialty, to promoting your business, to daily operational procedures. Along with its accompanying Workbook Edition, it is quickly becoming a staple in colleges as more are adding VA Certificate Programs to their curriculum. Randi Tucker Barr, an Instructor at Raymond Walters College, states, “I have incorporated their book and accompanying workbook as required text. The book guides students from the basic concept of the Virtual Assistant Industry to creating a workable business plan, marketing plan, and web presence. The workbook encourages students to integrate material from the book into their personal goals and objectives. My belief is that Virtual Assistant – The Series has given my students the necessary foundation to become successful entrepreneurs.
Virtual Assistant – The Series is available at www.VA-TheSeries.com as well as through online retailers. The authors are available for media interviews via email at: authors@VA-TheSeries.com or by calling 954.971.4025 (Ennen) or 618.624.3080 (Poelker).
Related Links
VA the Serieshttp://www.va-theseries.com/
Virtual Word Publishinghttp://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/
Another 8 Hourshttp://www.another8hours.com/
Contact Information
Kelly Poelker, Publisher Another 8 Hours Publishing(618) 624-3080 authors@va-theseries.com
Another 8 Hours Publishing
(WebWire) 5/8/2007 10:45:07 AM
O’Fallon, IL (May, 2007) — The Virtual Assistant Industry shines this month when two major publications recognize the profession and provide tips for getting started. The Wall Street Journal quotes best selling author Paul Edwards as saying, “Virtual assistants provide services ranging from administrative support to consulting via e-mail, fax and phone.” The article continues recommending several books for getting started, including Virtual Assistant–The Series by Diana Ennen and Kelly Poelker. http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/workfamily/20070504-workfamily.html
In the May issue of Reader’s Digest, an article entitled New Ways to Make a Bundle states, “If you possess word processing, transcription, bookkeeping, public relations, or website design skills, you may want to try employment as a virtual assistant. Ennen is quoted as saying, “There is so much work for VAs that the field is thriving. It is absolutely booming.” The important thing is to use your own skills and expertise to build your business. Starting a virtual assistant business isn’t a get rich quick scheme. It takes time and talent, but those who succeed can’t imagine doing anything else. Clients are grateful to have talented, highly skilled, and motivated virtual assistants to support their business growth.
Ennen and Poelker’s book, Virtual Assistant – The Series has become what many call the Bible in the Virtual Assistant Industry inspiring readers and providing priceless tools on everything from choosing the right specialty, to promoting your business, to daily operational procedures. Along with its accompanying Workbook Edition, it is quickly becoming a staple in colleges as more are adding VA Certificate Programs to their curriculum. Randi Tucker Barr, an Instructor at Raymond Walters College, states, “I have incorporated their book and accompanying workbook as required text. The book guides students from the basic concept of the Virtual Assistant Industry to creating a workable business plan, marketing plan, and web presence. The workbook encourages students to integrate material from the book into their personal goals and objectives. My belief is that Virtual Assistant – The Series has given my students the necessary foundation to become successful entrepreneurs.
Virtual Assistant – The Series is available at www.VA-TheSeries.com as well as through online retailers. The authors are available for media interviews via email at: authors@VA-TheSeries.com or by calling 954.971.4025 (Ennen) or 618.624.3080 (Poelker).
Related Links
VA the Serieshttp://www.va-theseries.com/
Virtual Word Publishinghttp://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/
Another 8 Hourshttp://www.another8hours.com/
Contact Information
Kelly Poelker, Publisher Another 8 Hours Publishing(618) 624-3080 authors@va-theseries.com
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
The Soul of Business™
© Castle Montone, Limited
Part One
Soul and business. Business and ... soul. You don’t often see these two words in the same sentence — especially over the last "make-it-until-you-drop-I don’t care who’s in my way” 60 years.
If you have "it", you understand the concept without skipping a beat.
If you’re looking for "it”, you feel a longing with every step you take in your business — even if it’s just the unspoken tug of unknowing.
If the concept of soul and business in the same breath incites you to... uncomfortable levels... well... that’s a whole different article.
To understand the concept of the soul of business, you have to consider what soul means. The challenge is — it has a different meaning for each individual. The context is flexible. It’s in the beholder.
This is also where the fun and the power of business is... IF you know how to tap into it.
Soul Defining
Defining the meaning of soul is like defining the concept of reality — you make it up. The real power resides in your meaning of soul, its application to your business and your unwavering command of that power.
The dictionary defines soul as:
- the complex of human attributes that manifests as consciousness, thought, feeling, and will,
- somebody’s emotional and moral nature,
- the deepest and truest nature of a people or a nation,
- what gives somebody or something a distinctive character
These definitions come close, but lack that mysterious unspoken essence of something that is far bigger. It’s that space that you fill up with... experience.
If you apply this unspoken power to business, both large and small, you will arrive at the very core of what makes a business tick — from why it was created to why it continues to exist.
Unfortunately, the problem is most small entrepreneurial business owners focus their initial business efforts "outside" of their business, on marketing, on sales, on... proof.
Then, if they are able to hold on enough to stay in the game, layer after external layer begins to form which solidify with tactical approaches to continue to market, to sell, to prove.
Eventually, this outer layer becomes heavy and can cause a business to implode if the core of the business isn’t established and maintained. Or it could lose its way altogether if the wrong kind of funding is thrown it’s way.
Remembering the Future™
Over the past eighty years the way business is done has come full circle from the days of yore when you brought your soap from the general store, which was at the front of the grocers house, through the industrial revolution of mass production and distribution, to the return of the human to human connection — through the internet.
Unfortunately the way business has been communicated hasn’t kept up with this change.
The old industrial model of advertising, of "sell the sizzle", or as I refer to it , "chasing the flash", is no longer enough for people.
Consumers have the power of choice and they can feel if there’s "something" behind the flash or... not.
Brand communication, including marketing and advertising, is on the cusp to a whole new way of consumer communication. A communication that has behind it a greater reason — beyond the mo*ney for product exchange. A communication that is fueled by the soul of a business.
The New Biz Buzz Word
If you polled a hundred people 25-55 about what they were missing in their lives and you were able to drill down to the core of their answer they would say, in one form or another, an authentic connection.
Even large brands, like Starbucks, Nike and even Apple, are starting to toss around words like real and authentic.
Howard Schultz, the CEO and mastermind behind Starbucks, one of the most successful and often admired brands today, says, "Our rapid growth has led to the watering down of the Starbucks experience. Our company’s soul is dripping away."
In The New Marketing Marketing Manifesto, author John Grant notes, "Authenticity is the benchmark against which all brands are n*ow judged."
The dictionary defines authentic as:
- genuine and original,
- shown to be true and trustworthy
- not a copy, real
Where does this realness reside? In that mysterious space of the soul.
Your Guiding Light Through the Unknown
As a business owner you no longer have to be at the mercy of the unspoken unknown of what is at the core of your business.
Taking your business idea through a process to define that soul shines a guiding light on everything your business is to be and every step you take to make it so.
This process is creating a brand. Branding, when done right, gives you and your business the soul of your business. Once it’s in place, it never burns out.
For the past several years, I’ve been saying there’s a global return to the soul. It’s never been so true in business today.
As a small business entrepreneur you actually have the edge over b*ig brands on the authentic playing field. You haven’t lost your business soul yet. Then again... you may have not yet connected to it.
The exciting thing is, the process to connect to the soul of your business is now at your fingertips. But first you have to put down the tactics.
You can always pick them back up... later.
This article is part of a continuing series exploring the Soul of Business. Stay tuned for more.
© Castle Montone, Limited
Are you making one of the 15 MISTAKES THAT KILL BUSINESS SUCCESS? Find out at www.15mistakes.com.
Brand Visioneer and BrandU co-founder, Kim Castle teaches entrepreneurs and small business owners how to turn their business ideas into a moneymaking marketable brand. If you want to experience clarity all the way to the bank™, get your FREE branding tips now at www.whybrandu.com.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
OIVAC Blog Hopping Tour
Wow time flies! I can’t believe the OIVAC Blog Hopping Virtual Assistant Tour is coming here tomorrow! When I signed up to be part of the tour I had a month to plan. I had big ideas about creating a super cool fancy Blog. Well… as the saying goes… life happens.
I’m going to keep this short and sweet! Here are my questions… and I’m serious about number 5… I love telling the story to my clients and friends about the virtual conference I attended last year and the really cool restrooms. LOL.
Number 1 is always on my mind… how can I better market myself? I love talking marketing with my colleagues, friends, family and clients.
I am honored to welcome Sharon Williams and everyone on the blog hopping tour to my Blog.
Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment so I know you did.
Wow time flies! I can’t believe the OIVAC Blog Hopping Virtual Assistant Tour is coming here tomorrow! When I signed up to be part of the tour I had a month to plan. I had big ideas about creating a super cool fancy Blog. Well… as the saying goes… life happens.
I’m going to keep this short and sweet! Here are my questions… and I’m serious about number 5… I love telling the story to my clients and friends about the virtual conference I attended last year and the really cool restrooms. LOL.
Number 1 is always on my mind… how can I better market myself? I love talking marketing with my colleagues, friends, family and clients.
I am honored to welcome Sharon Williams and everyone on the blog hopping tour to my Blog.
Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment so I know you did.
- What is the best way for a VA to market themselves?
- What online forums do you suggest an aspiring VA joins?
- What is the best way for a VA to network off line?
- Will the online conference have the free entrance to the exhibitor halls like it did last year?
- I attended last year and have to say I got a kick out of the restrooms with flushing toilets... a group of us kept going to the restroom together just to flush the online toilets. Will there be restrooms at this years conference?
Sunday, April 29, 2007
I attended the IVAA Summit in beautiful
It’s always nice to get out of the office and spend some time learning from my peers who are experts in the field.
There was a great line up of speakers at the summit.
- Elinor Stutz shared tips on creating a Smooth Sale…
- Sue Kramer talked about what image you present to the world and reminded us that image is more than just what you wear.
- Jill Lublin shared some insider secrets on getting publicity. I was lucky winner of her book Guerilla Publicity.
- And finally, Candy Beauchamp the new IVAA president shared with us the state of IVAA and talked about all the exciting new benefits to expect in the upcoming year.
Oh and the food was amazing! Loved that champagne vinaigrette salad dressing.
Thanks IVAA!
Reminder: Sharon Williams will be stopping by here on May 2nd for the OIVAC blog hopping tour.
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