Are you ready to end the frustrations?

As a business owner do you find yourself wearing all the hats and being the person who has to keep all the plates spinning? Plus, I'm guessing you are the key "rainmaker"! Trying to balance taking care of your clients AND growing your business at the same time can be very stressful and frustrating.

Well, I have a special invitation for you designed to give you less stress, more success AND save you 48%! I explain it all here, on this video I shot for you. Just click the image below to access the page where you can watch this short 2 1/2 minute video. Use VIP2011 to save 48%!

    

This special message and invitation is for you to join me at the upcoming Make it Happen! Virtual Summit. This summit features six experts who will share concrete information and strategies for several aspects of your business like:

• marketing that gets results from Google's #1 Marketing Coach
• how to create effective business relationships
• creating your fr^ee powerful support team
• overcoming the negative thoughts and fears
• attaining your business goals
• and using technology to help you be more effective and efficient

Each speaker will share information and strategies you can immediately use to grow your business and increase revenues. Sessions will take place April 19th – May 6th on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1 pm central / 2 pm eastern. I’m excited to be one of the speakers who will be sharing information on How to Get the Business RESULTS You Want Guilt Free on May 3rd.

You can find all the details about it here: www.MakeItHappenVirtualSummit.com (Use VIP2011 to save 48%!) Come to hear just one or two speakers, or get an All Access Pass  for the best value and receive MP3 recordings of each session and any notes provided by the speakers.

{How to Get the Business RESULTS You Want Guilt Free}

What holds most of us back from getting what we want isn’t capability. It’s generally fear, guilt, and self-imposed limitations. This can create feelings of paralysis and overwhelm that can keep you stuck and unable to create the business success you are working toward.

How do I know this? I’ve been in the same boat - - feeling overwhelmed and over committed with not enough time for family and my business. When I got really clear about what I wanted and implemented some straightforward strategies, I came out on the other side much happier personally AND created greater success and income in my business. I took what has worked for me and my clients and developed my Guilt-Free RESULTS System. I’ll be revealing this simple and repeatable 7-step process and some strategies you can use too.

During the May 3rd session I’ll also be sharing with you the three primary sources of guilt:

1. The “Should or Shouldn’t Dilemma”
2. The “Type A Trap”
3. And The Three Big O’s

You'll hear how you can overcome or eliminate these sources of guilt completely.  This is critical to getting the business results you really want.

To find out about all six sessions or to register, visit www.MakeItHappenVirtualSummit.com. 

Come join us and get ready to move passed any obstacles in the way of having the business and income you were meant to have!


All the best,

How Well Do You Maintain Balance?

If trying to maintain balance in your life makes you feel like a tightrope walker, you’re not alone. Most of us have so many demands on our time and energy; life can feel like a three-ring circus. Take this quiz to see how well you are meeting responsibilities, while also recognizing and fulfilling personal needs and wants.

True / False
¤   ¤  1. The only way I can successfully manage my life is to take care of myself physically and emotionally.


¤   ¤  2. Nurturing myself enlarges my capacity to help others.


¤   ¤  3. I eat healthfully and exercise regularly.


¤   ¤  4. I get check-ups, go to the dentist, and take preventative precautions.


¤   ¤  5. I set aside personal, quiet time for myself, whether I’m meditating or simply letting 
my thoughts drift. 


¤   ¤  6. I experience the gifts of each season: ice skating, sledding, bundled-up beach walks; gardening, hiking, more time outside; camping, swimming, barbecues; harvesting the bounty, gathering wood, spending more time inside.


¤   ¤  7. Creativity nurtures me, too. I do what I love, whether that’s cooking, drawing, painting, writing, dancing, singing or another creative pursuit. 


¤   ¤  8. Reaching out to others enriches my life. I spend quality time with family and friends.


¤   ¤  9. Contributing to the world provides connection and purpose, so I give my time, energy and experience where it is most useful. 


¤   ¤  10. I notice and heed the emotional signals that tell me I’m out of balance: irritability, overwhelm, resentment.


¤   ¤  11. If I feel that I’m catching a cold, I realize I may have stressed my immune system with overactivity, so I stop and take care of myself.


¤   ¤  12. When I need or want to, I say no to requests for my time.


¤   ¤  13. I listen to and honor the requests my body makes for such things as a nap, a walk, green vegetables, hot soup.


¤   ¤  14. If I have something planned for myself, I don’t just toss that aside when someone makes a request of me.


¤   ¤  15. I’m busy, but I find time to do the things I want to do.


¤   ¤  16. I’m happy. I regularly experience well-being, contentment, even joy.

 

Your Guilt-Free Challenge: 

If you answered false more often than true, you may want to take a look at the questions to which you answered false and see if you can incorporate something of its message into your life. You can also get assistance with your balance using my GOT BALANCE? audio program. Please don’t hesitate to call if you’d like to explore the issue of work and life balance further.

GOT BALANCE?

Looking for greater life harmony and balance?

Are you a working professional frustrated trying to do it all and feel as though you are unable to get off the treadmill of life? Get ready to find your unique sense of balance and make the small shifts to get there using this 45-minute audio and 18-page booklet.

You can get the digital download and start today!

A strong vision leads to success

By Victoria Cook

While networking I recently met a really sharp woman, Traci Ellis. She's a bit of an unorthodox attorney working virtually. I was really intrigued by this and fascinated by her story. You see, when she first began practicing law, she got a position with a great law firm. She was putting in the hours and working her way up that proverbial corporate ladder...and she was miserable!  She naturally concluded that working in corporate wasn't for her and she was going to start her own firm.

So she did! She got her own space, started her own practice and successfully ran it for several years when she realized...she was miserable.  She wasn't doing the kind of work she desired, working the kind of hours she wanted (did I mention she's also a mother?), or serving the type of clients she was passionate about.  Traci told me she had an "Ah ha" moment when she realized all she had done when setting up her business was duplicate her corporate job and added on the responsibilities of business ownership and all the overhead. She hadn't created a VISION for what she wanted in her own practice.

After taking some time to contemplate what she really liked about her work and what she really wanted from her business, she got rid of her office, honed in on her niche of working with women business owners and became a virtual attorney working from her home office. I'm happy to share that she works with amazing clients across the country doing work she enjoys and loves business ownership.  She's truly happy and fulfilled. 

That's great for her, but what does this have to do with you? If you're feeling a bit unfulfilled professionally, when's the last time YOU took some time to envision what it is you'd REALLY like? All too often I hear similar stories from business owners who thought entrepreneurship would be the answer to their unhappiness only to find it isn't quite what they thought it would be.  From some of the corporate client's with whom I've worked, I've seen instances where clients sort of fell into a role or career path because it was something they excelled in or paid well but for which they didn't have a high amount of passion. I hope that won't be your story!

Your Guilt-Free Challenge: 

If you are you tired of going through the motions and feeling like you have no set direction or if you feel like something is missing but you aren't quite sure what and don't want to live with any regrets, then you'll want a copy of my  Priorities, Purpose & Vision 54-page life-changing guidebook.   It is great for helping:

• Give yourself permission to succeed
• Uncover your distinctive impact on the world around you
• Articulate your unique purpose
• Uncover the key values that make your life fulfilling
• Explore what's really important to you
• See a bigger vision for your future
• Visualize your goals

You can get the digital download and start today!

Who do YOU impact?

By Victoria Cook

As I do each holiday season since about 1987 (when I was first gifted the movie) I watch It's a Wonderful Life. The movie does such a wonderful job of illustrating how intertwined George Bailey is, and really each of us are, in the lives of others.

A new client shared with me a piece written by Joyce Rupp on Spiritual Zest. Within it she also echoed the message from It's a Wonderful Life using the anaology of a puzzle. Each of our lives is a puzzle, she writes, but we don't always have all the pieces to our puzzle within ourselves. We need those around us in order to complete our picture. The opposite is also true. We each hold some important pieces to the puzzles of the lives around US.

Ms. Rupp referenced a wonderful message from Albert Einstein further illustrating this point in which he said:

Strange is our situation here upon earth… Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: we are here for the sake of others… Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of so many others…

Your Guilt-Free Challenge:

As you begin to plan your year and set your goals for 2011, I ask you to contemplate how the accomplishment of one or more of your own business and personal goals might provide a valuable puzzle piece in the life of someone else? Identifying that can provide you with a vastly different view of your goal and some additional inspiration to achieve it.

Let this also serve as an extra boost of motivation to help you through any challenges that may come up along the way to reaching your goal. Remember, it's not just your own puzzle you are building, but also providing a valueable piece in the life of someone else!

Not sure what your puzzle looks like?

Schedule your own private Rapid Results Session. This session can assist you in creating a strong vision for your 2011 business goals.  During this 30 minute phone session we will work together to:

- - > Create a crystal clear vision for ‘ultimate success’ so you know exactly what you want, where you're headed, and what you need to do to make it happen.

- -> Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your ability to make changes that last or that are slowing down your progress

- -> Leave this session renewed, re-energized, and inspired to finally achieve the change you seek- once and for all.

Schedule YOUR session TODAY and clarify your vision for 2011 and how you can impact those around you!

Cultivating Your Character in the New Year

I've just begun work with a new client, which is always fun.  The other great benefit is that I am regularly inspired by my clients too.  Today Nancy shared with me Franklin's Thirteen Virtues that I thought was a timely bit of information given the New Year!

Benjamin Franklin's (1706 - 1790) Thirteen Virtues - from Flame Bright


You probably know him as one of the Fathers of the United States, a great leader and diplomat. He signed the major documents of the founding of the U.S. including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Maybe you know him as an inventor, or as a scientist who flew kites in lightning storms, or as a writer and printing press operator.



But did you know that in 1726, at the age of 20, while on an 80-day ocean voyage from London back to Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin developed a "Plan" for regulating his future conduct? He was partially motivated by Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." He followed the plan he created "pretty faithfully" even to the age of 79 (when he wrote about it), and he was even more determined to stick with it for his remaining days because of the happiness he had enjoyed so far by following it.


His "Plan" was made up of 13 virtues, each with short descriptions:


1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.


2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.


3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.


4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.


5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.


6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.


7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.


8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.


9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.


10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.


11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.


12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.




13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.


He committed to giving strict attention to one virtue each week so after 13 weeks he moved through all 13. After 13 weeks he would start the process over again so in one year he would complete the course a total of 4 times.


He tracked his progress by using a little book of 13 charts. At the top of each chart was one of the virtues. The charts had a column for each day of the week and thirteen rows marked with the first letter of each of the 13 virtues. Every evening he would review the day and put a mark (dot) next to each virtue for each fault committed with respect to that virtue for that day.


Naturally, his goal was to live his days and weeks without having to put any marks on his chart. Initially he found himself putting more marks on these pages than he ever imagined, but in time he enjoyed seeing them diminish. After awhile he went through the series only once per year and then only once in several years until finally omitting them entirely. But he always carried the little book with him as a reminder.


Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues are unique and obviously served him well since he is one of the most respected and most accomplished men in the history of the United States.

Merry Christmas...

...and Happy Holidays!
From Victoria Cook, The Guilt-Free Coach


Every year when Christmas comes I realize anew
The biggest gift that life can give is knowing folks like you.
May the spirit of Christmas that forever more endures
Leave its richest blessing in the hears of you and yours!
(Unknown)


For a little more holiday cheer, take a listen to a medley of some unique holiday tunes with a twist. Enjoy!

Where are you headed?

By Victoria Cook

All too often when talking with business owners who are unhappy with their results, I find they haven't set many goals much less created a specific plan on how to reach them. 

 

While speaking with one owner recently, she shared that she really doesn't set annual goals, she just does as much work as she can to "hopefully" achieve the same level of success or more each year.  When business is slow she just works more hours and spends more time reaching out to her network to try and generate business. And oh, by the way, during that same conversation she mentioned that she really wanted less stress, and to get a better handle on her time so she could have more of it for fun with her spouse, family and friends. This is not an unfamiliar conversation and she's not alone in her struggles.

 

Does any of this sound familiar to you? If not, go ahead and stop reading now. But, if you are tired of working harder and harder and want to reduce some of your struggles keep reading!

Many years ago US educator and writer, Laurence J. Peter made a simple and profound statement that is still true today: "If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else!" Ending up where you really want to be, or darned close to it, requires just a couple simple steps:

1) Cast your 2011 Vision! - Schedule some quiet time for yourself to just sit for 30 - 60 minutes and write down where it is you really want to be in the next 12 - 36 months.  It's important to get a clear idea of what specifically that will look like and why it's important to you.  I began this process with my clients in October with a special 2011 Visioning Bonus call.  As a thank you for being a loyal subscriber to my e-zine, I'm making that call audio and handouts available to you too at http://www.theguiltfreecoach.com/visions/

 

2)  Create a regular reminder of what your vision looks like.  There are several ways in which to do this, but this year my clients and I created vision boards (that's mine). We got together one evening and shared our vision and vision boards with one another. Several clients who participated said sharing their visions publicly made it feel real and that it created a sense of urgency and focus to get moving to reach it. It was such an inspiring evening to see where each person is headed.

 

3) Identify Annual Goals. Review your bigger vision and pull out the things you will do this year that will move you in the direction of your vision. Many of my clients have found mind mapping to be a great way to begin this process. Be sure to make SMART goals for 2011!

 

4) Create a written plan to get there.  This is such an important and often overlooked step. Having a specific plan will help you to maintain focus and combat feelings of overwhelm.  For each goal, chunk out the top ten things that need to be completed to reach that goal. Break each of those ten things down into monthly, weekly, and daily actionable steps (with due dates) and you've got a solid plan to get to where you want to be! I have several tools on my website you can use to capture your plan.

 

5) Review progress & edit your plan monthly. Schedule time at the end of each month (or beginning) to look at your plan and check off what's completed. I believe in celebrating each accomplishment, no matter how small! It helps to build momentum and increases confidence. Don't worry if you didn't get it all done. Use what worked to help inform you about what's realistic to complete for the next month and adjust your plans accordingly.  Remember, PROGRESS is more important than perfection!

Still Struggling?

Schedule a Rapid Results Session today to assist you in creating a strong vision for your 2011 business goals.

During this 30 minute phone session we will work together to:

• Create a crystal clear vision for ‘ultimate success’ so you know exactly what you want, where you're headed, and what you need to do to make it happen. 

• Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your ability to make changes that last or that are slowing down your progress

• Leave this session renewed, re-energized, and inspired to finally achieve the change you seek- once and for all.