by Matthew Best
Every once in awhile, even the most positive person will allow themselves to feel the effects of what is going on around them. It can be difficult for entrepreneurs to stay upbeat - the constant drumbeat of the media about the recession, hearing about it from friends and family, seeing it in the newspaper, etc. What's a person to do? Here's a few quick tips.
First - tune out as much of it as you can. You know what the news is going to report don't you? Death, destruction, loss, fire, damage, crime, woe-is-me stories, etc. That's what counts as news these days - skip it. If anything important happens, you'll find out - someone is bound to tell you about it.
Second - get serious about your goals. Nothing generates a positive outlook like success. Take a look at your goals and start working on them every day - do one thing today that will bring you closer to your goal. Then, when you accomplish the goal, set another one.
Third - Get creative. Generating new ideas, creating new partnerships and joint ventures, and offering new products are great ways to stay upbeat. You are most positive when your creative juices are flowing - you are focused on opportunities and possibilities.
Fourth - Create a two minute complaining session. That's right, set aside two minutes to just complain, mope, feel sorry for yourself, have a pity party, etc. Really get into the moment with this. You'll get that "down" feeling all in at once for the day, and everything else will feel a heck of a lot better.
Fifth - Exercise. When I'm feeling down or low on energy, I go for run. The toughest part is getting out the door, but as soon as I get going, I always feel better. And when I get back - I'm revived. Find your own exercise routine - even if it's walking for 15 Minutes. Getting up and moving will refresh you and give you energy.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Are You Dealing the Symptom or the Cause?
by Matthew Best
If you had a stone in your shoe, what would you do? Most people I know would answer with the obvious solution - take your shoe off and dump the stone out. Problem solved.
What I find amazing though is that we may know this intellectually, but there are so many examples in life where we put aside this obvious solution and think that the simple solution of "dumping the stone" just won't work for any number of reasons.
Examples abound these days - one need only look at how government operates to understand that "dumping the stone" would mean that many government agencies and officials would be unnecessary and in short order, out of a job.
Another example would be healthcare - how many times do we treat the pain we feel as opposed to looking at what is actually causing the pain?
And how about business - especially your business? What are the "symptoms" you deal with every day? How are you treating them? Are you looking at what these symptoms are actually telling you about the situation, or are you more concerned with just making the pain go away?
Take a few moments today to stop reacting to the "pain" your business or your people are experiencing and instead listen to what that pain is trying to tell you.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org
If you had a stone in your shoe, what would you do? Most people I know would answer with the obvious solution - take your shoe off and dump the stone out. Problem solved.
What I find amazing though is that we may know this intellectually, but there are so many examples in life where we put aside this obvious solution and think that the simple solution of "dumping the stone" just won't work for any number of reasons.
Examples abound these days - one need only look at how government operates to understand that "dumping the stone" would mean that many government agencies and officials would be unnecessary and in short order, out of a job.
Another example would be healthcare - how many times do we treat the pain we feel as opposed to looking at what is actually causing the pain?
And how about business - especially your business? What are the "symptoms" you deal with every day? How are you treating them? Are you looking at what these symptoms are actually telling you about the situation, or are you more concerned with just making the pain go away?
Take a few moments today to stop reacting to the "pain" your business or your people are experiencing and instead listen to what that pain is trying to tell you.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org
Difference between Prospectors and Master Prospectors
"Prospectors value their money more than they do their time. They'll waste their time trying to hold onto their money. Master Prospectors value their time more than their money. They'll invest their money into tools that make their time more valuable." John Kalench
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Birthdays
by Matthew Best
February is a big birthday month in our family. My birthday was the first, my son turns two on the second, my oldest daughter turns six on the sixth, my wife's grandmother turns 92 on the seventh, my wife's birthday is the 17th and her cousin's birthday is the 27th.
All these birthdays are great, and yet require a good deal of planning to make all the parties a real hit.
Business is no different. You have busy times - times when everything is happening all at once - sales, projects, new hires, marketing campaigns, etc. During these busy times you know that being organized and prepared makes all the difference.
Take some time today to set some time aside to plan your week. Even better, take a look at when your busy time is and start planning what you'll need now.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
February is a big birthday month in our family. My birthday was the first, my son turns two on the second, my oldest daughter turns six on the sixth, my wife's grandmother turns 92 on the seventh, my wife's birthday is the 17th and her cousin's birthday is the 27th.
All these birthdays are great, and yet require a good deal of planning to make all the parties a real hit.
Business is no different. You have busy times - times when everything is happening all at once - sales, projects, new hires, marketing campaigns, etc. During these busy times you know that being organized and prepared makes all the difference.
Take some time today to set some time aside to plan your week. Even better, take a look at when your busy time is and start planning what you'll need now.
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
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