Are you having trouble keeping your blog updated? Check out DrWicked.com!
Are you having trouble with writing? Need some consequences
for not meeting your goals? Like some tools to help with editing process?Just got a Twitter pointing out this fun resource to keep you writing… or else! Set a goal for your next blog entry, ezine, or other project and get writing!
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Yes, I apparently have been unable to sleep, am up reading Twitter…. @KatieKonrath twittered this and I felt compelled to reply.
Beware of my evil clows and fuzzy bunnies – and goodnight!
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Today I spent an hour or so creating a gift that may last a lifetime… or maybe will only last until we buy a house… or maybe only until I tire of a sage green and chocolate brown bedroom! But this gift will be a gift to my husband every night we go to sleep and every morning we awaken in our bed…
I tell him I love him a lot – and he enjoys hearing it; but, I want to remind him, with silent words, just how much he means to me every day.
So, did you get your love a gift that “keeps on giving”? Or - perhaps more importantly to the purpose of this blog – did you get YOURSELF a gift like that? If not, I’d like to offer some suggestions…things to do for yourself this year to develop / strengthen your personal and professional goals.
Wow – you know I’m on this journey with you when the self-discovery mode kicks in! I believe I have great success in #1, but it appears I have two other areas that I’m lacking in… but I’m not supposed to focus on lack (or I’ll get more of it). I suggest that both of us celebrate the areas we’re successful in and make positive plans/goals for the other areas!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah (Chanukah), and a Peaceful, Prosperous New Year to you all! I’m grateful to you for joining me on this journey and looking forward to another year of sharing in your entrepreneurial journey!
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Wow – this is cool – and greener! http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200285410&pop-up=1
Amazon realizes that we don’t want to hurt ourselves trying to open some of those plastic clamshell packaging – so they have selected items that are “easy open” and have a lot less packaging to throw out!
Good move Amazon!
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I didn’t look back this morning at when the last time was that I posted… I didn’t want to stare that date in the face and get caught up in how I wasn’t as dedicated to this blog timewise as I had envisioned. Don’t get me wrong – my heart is here… so why isn’t my time?
Well, I have a based of paying clients, a husband, friends, and a home, as well as (apparently) an additional career as a speaker! I still hold hope of get colloborators for this site – I’d love it to be a resource for entrepreneurial women that has many points of view and authors from different fields of expertise.
I’ve had women say their interested but not follow through for a variety of reasons… and I believe when the time is right they will appear. So for the moment it’s just me passing along insights and info from the hundreds of women entrepreneurs I interact with; and that is as it is meant to be…
That being said, I do feel the need to set some goals for this site and my career(s). I need a mantra… or at least a couple words to keep me on track, something that will bring me back to the present and help me focus. I think we all need that so perhaps this process will be of benefit to you as well.
Teresa keeps telling me I need to be clear, that the clearer I am the more successful I will be (she says it nicer than that - it’s said in the context of when I’m being clearer she notices and comments on how it is working for me and reminds me to see and appreciate what clarity brings); intellectually I know what that word means but unfortunately I can’t just say, “Veronika, get clearer!” and have it magically happen (or can I?). I’m thinking I need to have a few steps in place to get me there…
So… what is stopping me – or you?
I could/would be clearer if:
Constancy in communication and trusting in the outcome will create clarity in my business and personal life.
This makes sense as that will also lead to a stronger sense of serenity and organization…and who can’t use more of that too! I think I’ll pullout my “Success Principles” book tonight and find some principles that support those goals.
If you have any suggestions or tips – or words of encouragement! – feel free to comment here!
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Been awhile since I sat down to blog! Figured I better do some updating – “practice what I preach!”
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I was so excited to receive this email recently from Joyce Finnigan, owner of RJT Products, LLC, whom I recently met at the Key Bank for Women event at the White Whispers Day Spa in Clinton:
I had sent in an email to Donny Deutsch (on Wednesday) requesting some advice on bringing the Rojeti bag to the next level and at 7pm last night I rec’d a call from a producer on his show asking if I could be in NYC by noon today!
Something in my email caught their eye and they wanted me and the bags on the show – well, they didn’t have to ask me twice – I wouldn’t have missed that chance for the world.
What happened next is somewhat of a blur………and I still think I’m dreaming.
I thought I was going to be part of their ‘ask Donny a question and he’ll give you advice’ segment – but instead they had other plans for me.
They have a new segment – The Big Break – and that’s exactly what it is – a big break.
They surprised me in a big way – Larry Broughton of Broughton Hospitality (owner of 13 high-end boutique hotels) was also on the show and is going to put the Rojeti bags in the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica!!!!!!!! I was floored – and there was no forewarning that they were going to do this - but not to worry because it has been captured on tape and you’ll be able to see my reaction on Monday night (when the show airs on CNBC)!
Isn’t that awesome!?!? I thought she had a great product: a reusable, washable, discreet and attractive way to stash and carry your dirty laundry – that’s a lot of value in one product!
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PS: The bags with the pink ribbons are from their “PinkTab” collection – part of the proceeds from the sale of these bags goes to National Breast Care Foundation, as a show of Rojeti’s support of Breast Cancer Awareness. |
If you’re in business ONLY to make money you’re in the wrong business – you need to be passionate about what you do and then the money will come because you are honest and dedicated passionately to your work.
That said, I love the song I’ve included as a podcast in this post, (Peter sent it to me a couple years ago) as it is something that many entrepreneurs can identify with – especially if you are in a service or “idea” industry “where what you know” is a valuable commodity but people want to pay you only for what you “do” – they want the thinking about / brainstorming / idea-generation to be free as they can’t touch or quantify it.
I read a good post about problem-solving recently, and one of the commenters asked the question:
Paul, this issue has been bothering me for a long time. Any good designer would argue that defining the problem is just as important, if not more important, than generating a solution.
Bill Buxton talks about the difference between getting the design right and getting the right design. The former is when a designer is forced to use intuition and experience to iterate on a single solution so that it is well-received. It will look pretty and it will work, but it won’t be useful to the intended audience. The latter happens when designers are given the opportunity to analyze the situation and identify pain points instead of simply being told what to do. Research, synthesis and prototyping together ensure that the solution is the right one.
But how do we characterize these skill sets that often go unused? How do we name the activity so that we can better sell it to our clients? Is it Strategy? Discovery? Plain old Research, which sounds dry and redundant to many companies? There’s thinking and then there’s doing. What can we call Thinking so that it doesn’t sound like a waste of time to the people paying the bills?
Let me know your thoughts; do you have a story you’d like to share? How do you handle people trying to get info from you that should be charged for? How do you let clients know that “thinking” is what some people need to get paid for? People sit and think in an 9 to 5 office job and get a paycheck; how do you help them understand that even though you think on the beach, or in bed, or driving to a meeting, that your time is worthy of monitary reimbursement as well?
Here’s to using your brain - and paying the bills!
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Click to play, lyrics below
I’M BILLING TIME
(sung to the tune of “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper)
by The Bar & Grill Singers
Sometimes you call me up,
and beg me for free advice.
You’re stealing from me,
and wondering why I’m not nice.
My mind and my time
are my merchandise;
Don’t make me say this twice.
(chorus)
If you come to my office or call my phone,
I’m billing time.
If you stop me at parties to whine and moan,
I’m billing time.
You say you want the best,
but then you don’t pay the fee.
Notions cost money,
but you think they should be free.
You cry, “Oh why
is my bill so high?”
Well, let me clarify:
(chorus)
If you come to my office or call my phone,
I’m billing time.
If you stop me at parties to whine and moan,
I’m billing time.
If I think of you when I am all alone,
I’m billing time.
If you’re late for appointments,
I will be waiting.
…and billing time.
Still billing time.
I’m billing time.
I found this fascinating quote today:
So the question I would like to explore is this – at what point are there consequences if customers don’t live up to their part of the bargain? At what point do you stop inspiring, cajoling and yelling and just start backing off or disengaging all together? What about building monetary penalties into service agreements that kick in when a customer does not complete assignments they agreed to?Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing, Sep 2008
It is difficult to hold ourselves back sometimes; as service providers and women eager to see others succeed it is hard to watch them not do the things you feel/know will help grown their business. Sometimes they say they’re invested in their business but it seems you are spending a lot more time and energy on it than they are… which means you’re spending less time and energy on your other clients and YOUR business!
Read about what John Jantsch and his followers have to say – it’s an interesting conversation…
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So excited to report that the book is out and I have an autographed copy!
It is already inspiring people and the companion blog, Create The Ripples, is nearly ready as well! Teresa’s journey to Colorado will have her joyously interacting with 250 women in an amazing setting… there will be ripples created there that will reach all the way back to NY! |
| Also thrilled to report that Julie’s CD is at the printer, and should be back in less than 30 days!
If you go to her site you can hear some song samples… I’ve already sold a copy! They will be available locally at Panache on Main Street in Whitesboro, and I think you’ll find Teresa’s book there as well. Her site also lists her upcoming appearances, in case you’d like to see her and the boys (Matt Vacanti & Joe Ferlo) in person! She working on a book as well… very cool to be surrounded by such literary women! |
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| I’m working on a few literary adventures myself – but will wait to report on them until… well, until there’s more to report!
So, have you been inspired to begin or revisit some form of self-expression? I think it’s an amazing world where you can do what you love to do and be supported by it (ie – get paid!); I know I love creating things for these women as they support my goals – not merely financially – but by being spiritually and emotionally supportive… which is the greatest reward anyone can offer you. I hope you take time for yourself every day to feed your muse, by reading or writing, listening or singing, watching or participating, learning or teaching… whatever your passion is. I’m blessed to have my passion bring really great women into my life! V- |
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