Game Change Your Biz

Why blog? We all know that blogs are featured on social media and on various magazines, but what can blogging do for you?

Here are 8 points on how blogging can change your life:

1. You will become a better writer and thinker
2. You will have a filter of what’s really important and meaningful
3. You will have opportunities to meet new people
4. Blogging is FREE!
5. You will become more confident
6. You will inspire others
7. You might even make MONEY!

Take the plunge and start blogging. You may find benefits that you never realized!

Have you ever wondered how you are going to get your business off the ground? How do you jump start your business if you are still struggling with cash flow? That’s what we are talking about today. Some simple ideas that you can implement to help you get your business off the ground and see some early success:

1. Put your game plan together.

This gives you a road map for your business. Detail what it is you are expecting your business to do in the course of the year. Now you have a place to focus your efforts and try to do everything possible to meet your goals. You need to set your budget and really do your homework. Most people over estimate the revenues they think they will bring in. Don’t make this mistake because it will throw you plan off.

2.  Find a mentor.

It doesn’t really matter where you are in your business, you can always use a mentor. They have already been down the same path and can help you avoid some of the mistakes they made. 

3. Set up your website.

You need to be able to be found online. If you have technical skills, you can do this yourself, or you can hire someone else to do it. The idea is that people need to be able to find you and when they do, they need to be able to book an appointment.

That’s another piece to game changing your biz!

Welcome! Last week we talked about Recharging YOU, taking breaks, and getting away from your business. Today, we follow up with a discussion about Recharging Your Business. After you return from a break, you should feel revitalized in your purpose, energy, and goals. Let’s get into the details!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Take your renewed energy and use it wisely: How?
• • Set aside one day weekly to think BIG about the future of your business
  • Engage your employees and share your goals with them
  • Set action into motion
• Recharge your business itself:
• • Prioritize
  • Examine your time management
  • Manage the highs and lows of your business cycle
  • Evaluate yourself as a business leader
  • Reconnect and network
  • Take time to give back to the community
  • Take time to unplug and recharge
• There you have it, another piece to game-changing your business. Look objectively at your vision and goals. A fresh mindset and positive outlook can have an impact on your industry and on how you lead your team. What are you waiting for? Recharge!

Today we’re looking at another piece of game-changing your business. It’s the very important topic of Recharging YOU, or taking time for yourself. We all know that being stressed out can lead to burnout, self-doubt, laziness, guilt, and other negative feelings. Maybe an energy problem is the root cause of what’s going on. Let’s talk about some ways you can step back and recharge, both physically and mentally.

• Look for quiet times, or lulls, in your business
• Get away from it all and take a vacation—Why?
• • You can rest, relax, and recharge
  • You can have time to create new ideas, like marketing strategies, a blog, etc.
• Plan your time off around your clients’ vacations or down times
• Let customers know ahead of time about your plans—You don’t want to surprise them with your vacation plans!
• Consider delegating a “second in command” who can fill in when you’re gone
• Take a break from your computer and cell phone as much as possible on vacation

I hope these tips are helpful for you, and that you can implement them in doing your number one job, which is taking care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to take a break and Recharge YOU!

Welcome! How is your business? Do you plan on starting a business in the near future? Statistics show that nine out of ten new businesses WILL fail. I don’t say that to discourage you, but to encourage you as an entrepreneur to do your research to prevent failure. Being successful requires some forethought and some homework. Join me now for today’s conversation—and avoid these common mistakes!

Five Mistakes Entrepreneurs Should Avoid When Starting Up Their Business:

1. Confusing your product or service with your business

• Have a revenue stream beyond a one-time purchase

1. Not knowing your numbers

• Know your monthly income and expenses

1. Failing to get expert advice

• Many startups think they can’t afford expert help

1. Not realizing the emotional toll of entrepreneurship

• Get proper rest and nutrition, and make time for friends and family

1. Expanding too soon

• You must have the proper foundation in order to grow

Last week we talked about being GREAT:

Giving

Relating to Others

Exercise

Appreciation of things around you

Trying out new things

Today, we are taking it a step further by talking about DREAM:

Direction

Resilience

Emotion

Acceptance

Meaning

In this episode I discuss each of these in depth. Listen to this episode to get challenged and motivated to achieve more than you are now.

Don’t forget, International Day of Happiness is on March 20, so map out your dreams and celebrate!

This content is based on Vanessa King’s 10 Steps for Great Dreams from Success Magazine April 2016

The happy medium between being deadly serious about your business, but still being happy may not be easily achieved. We can have the best of both worlds while we build our dreams.

5 Steps to Keep A Happy Mindset:

1. Give - do things for others
2. Relating and connecting with people
3. Exercise and rest - restores and refreshes your bodies
4. Appreciation - be grateful
5. Learning new things

How does one go about developing their ability to persuade someone to invest in your company, or the products or services you provide?

6 Principles of Persuasion:

1. Reciprocation - People respond better to a mutual exchange

2. Consistency and Commitment - write it down to make it stick

3. Social Proof and Social Media - This is a huge part of today’s culture and a necessary one

4. Knowing Your Subject - People gravitate towards others that have the same interests

5. Authority - What do people get advice from you about? You may be an expert and authority!

6. Scarcity - You want people to act immediately and have a limited time offer!

Use these principles with the highest integrity so that you can maintain your reputation!

Today we’re talking about how to do a mood makeover.Maybe you’ve had a traumatic event, faced rejection, or had something else happen. Sometimes it’s hard to find your happiness!

Strategies to change your mood and have a positive outlook on life:

1. Figure out what is holding you back.
2. Find the motivation - inspirational books or movies
3. Set up your positive practice to take action - maybe set up a vision board, exercise, talking to others and share encouragement. Turn negative thoughts into a positive. Pray. Eat chocolate. Whatever makes you happy!

Books Recommended:

The 7 Habits of Highly

As a Man Thinketh

The Alchemist

The Power of Now

Getting Things Done

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Your frustration and low morale will have negative effects on your emotions and on your health. Whether you’ve received negative feedback or been rejected, all of these can take a toll physically and emotionally.

Here are a few quick tips to help you handle rejection:

1. Think about the feedback from a different perspective. This may keep you from taking it personally.
2. Try not to jump to conclusions - maybe they are having a bad day and not rejecting you personally. Take some time to think about it for a few days before you judge it.
3. Focus on more positive thoughts and joyous events. Don’t stay focused on the rejection.
4. Try to be empathetic to the situation and the parties involved. Give them space and allow them to cool off. Don’t react out of anger and don’t react to the person - judgment is clouded when we are angry.
5. Take an analytical approach to the issue. Think like a scientist and keep emotions out of it.

Being in business for yourself, you always want to make sure your pipeline of new customers and new business is full of great prospects! The key is to forge relationships with people now, so you can ensure you have future customers.

Sometimes marketing feels icky, but if you approach it as building a relationship, it can become a beautiful partnership.

5 Steps to Help Be More Comfortable with Marketing

1. Know your target market - who you are targeting and what they want
2. Narrow your prospect list to a specific list you want to target
3. Gather intel - research website to see what services they already offer and write your proposal
4. Contact your prospect - letter, thank you note, etc. Set up a time to call on them.
5. Build a relationship - be their problem solver!

You may use your credit cards for trips, special occasions, birthdays and special purposes. The average consumer debt for Americans is $39,000. This can really put a strangle-hold on your finances. It’s important to get your credit card debt paid off as quickly as you can.

How do you get rid of this credit card debt:

1. Get organized
2. Prioritize your debt repayments
3. Use an online tool to help you see what your best payoff would be

Why pay off debt?

• It can keep you from getting a house or car loan
• Your debt ratio should be no more than 30% of your income

Strategies to pay off debt:

1. Pay highest APR down first and roll that payment into the next debt repayment
2. Pay off the card with the lowest balance first. This can make you feel successful right away.
3. Try to consolidate your cards and then focus on paying it all off.
4. Stop charging any new debt. 

Resources:

The Debt Analyzer

Welcome! How do you know when to quit your day job? If you’ve ever considered entrepreneurship, then you’ve been faced with this question. It’s one that requires careful thought, soul-searching, and planning. After all, making this transition most likely means leaving a steady paycheck and benefits for a period of uncertainty. Let’s talk about those challenges.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Tips in preparing for this transition:
• • Try to get rid of all your debt
  • Save a year’s worth of living expenses
  • Follow a business plan
  • Create a personal financial plan
  • Have a business financial plan
  • Consider starting as an entrepreneur in a part-time capacity 
  • Think about new skills and network connections that might be helpful
  • Consider finding a mentor 
• Remember, there will never be a perfect time and a perfect situation to make this transition into entrepreneurship. The goal is to be successful in your endeavor. Good luck!

Today’s episode is about finding and following your passion. In your business, you’re always looking to maximize your passion and leadership. That may be easier said than done, so there are several questions you can ask to help you define your passion.

• What was your passion in the past?
• Has it changed from the past to the present?
• What fires you up?
• What makes you happy and brings a smile to your face?
• What is the ONE thing you could never give up?
• Is there a hobby or activity that always brings you joy?
• Is there something people constantly ask your advice about?

If you determine your passion, then what’s next? Where do you go and what do you do with it?

• Follow it to get needed skills and stand out in your field among the competition
• Seek out mentors and instructors to help you
• Remember that there is always some kind of trade-off within any new venture

It’s a New Year and everyone is talking about new changes, resolutions and goals. But many times we get held back from accomplishing these goals and resolutions because of fear. As humans we can’t both want change and embrace change to reach new goals, and yet fear change all the while. 

So my challenge to you is to set your fears aside in 2017, so that you can focus on achieving your goals.

I’m in the same boat as you. I’m working hard on achieving my goals for the new year. I’m on track to hit a couple of them too!

Show Notes:

• You’ll have to change your outlook on life
• Appreciate the moment you are in now - live in the moment
• Write down goals for 3, 6 and 12 months
• Goal setting triggers our sub conscience into thinking bigger
• Think deliberately and be strategic when doubt sets in 
• When you get opposition think about it 3 days before you make a decision
• Be deliberate and strategic questions about what you want to achieve
• Review and update your goals every 3-4 months
• “Just so you know, you’re awesome!”

Life moves at a rapid pace, so jump right in and make your change for 2017. Have no fear!

Happy 2017 to everyone! Today’s topic is Strategies and Trends for 2017. Let’s take a look!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Top three strategies:
• • Look at financial records and set up a budget
  • Consider a mindset based on positive thinking
  • Look at your marketing strategies for what has (and hasn’t) worked
• Top three business trends:
• • Technology (It’s crucial!)
  • Branding and Marketing
  • Creative ways to improve the workflow process
  • Using remote employees and virtual assistants
  • Customer service

Resources:

Zoom.us

Skype.com

Let take a look our goals for 2016.  Did you accomplish everything you wanted this year? Did you write them down?

It’s worth going back and taking a look at what you did and didn’t accomplish this year. Not so that you can beat yourself up, but so you can know what goals to set for 2017.

Over the next couple of weeks go ahead and do some analysis.

We are going to have a 5 day business challenge here, so stay tuned for the details.

5 Things that Setting Goals Does:

1. Write goals down to keep you motivated. Make it step by step.
2. Visualize your goals.
3. Make your goals attainable.
4. It makes you accountable.
5. It allows you to focus on what is truly important.

Don’t get discouraged with the goal setting process. Take some time and think about it and write what comes to mind.

In the next episode we are going to break down the strategies for achieving your goals, and get you ready for the 5 day challenge!

Welcome to my conversation with Lawrence Woods, the massage therapist who developed the exciting new therapy called Neural Reset Therapy, NRT. From an understanding of the law of reciprocal inhibition and the law of symmetry, Lawrence formulated this technique that brings relief from muscular pain and tightness for his clients. Lawrence worked in other careers before a back injury and his first body work class led him into his new profession, and his newly developed technique is revolutionizing the world of massage therapy.  Join us now!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Lawrence was led to create NRT
• How a simple evaluation can reset muscle tone in other areas of the body
• The BETTER way to talk to the nervous system
• Amazing success for clients—without PAIN!
• Forced into the roles of pioneer and entrepreneur
• Lawrence’s partnership with Ralph Stevens
• Getting the word out about NRT
• Connecting the brain and muscle
• Who can benefit from NRT?
• Lawrence’s best advice ever received? “Be prepared to give your life to it. It won’t come easy.”
• Lawrence’s advice to other massage therapists: “Know anatomy and movement patterns of muscles.”

Resources:

www.neuralreset.net

On Facebook, find Lawrence at NRT Now.

What is your specialty? As massage therapists, we need to learn other modalities, and there are a lot of them out there! Finding your specialty depends on your preference, but very few people know what they want to focus on, especially when they are starting out in the business. We’ll discuss these issues and more!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Common modalities include Swedish massage, reflexology, sports massage, deep tissue massage, and medical massage
• Why learning various modalities gives you more tools in your toolbox
• How I structure my simple menu for clients: 60 or 90 minute massage in various modalities, including “specialty” massages
• New therapists have to figure out what modalities they want to include
• My tips:
• • Start with continuing education
  • Take a class in-person rather than online
  • Don’t get discouraged with learning something new
  • Get new certifications and work those modalities into your practice
• Remember that every therapist, every practice, and every client is unique. Find what works best for you!

We normally live and work for our family and dependents and we need a long life to be able to carry out this noble purpose as long as necessary; but life happens only once.  Practice self-care to prolong your life and avoid burnout.  As a therapist, you are often in contact with people who are not feeling well and they could drain out your energy.

Show Notes:

• Take care of your physical self
• Take care of your mental health
• Take care of your emotions
• Take care of your spirituality
• Do something good for yourself too. Get a massage, a manicure, pedicure, and style your hair
• Try the spa and sauna
• Eat healthy foods. – improve your health and increase energy and keep medical costs down
• Consult with your doctor to make sure you are in the right plan
• Get regular medical care for illness prevention
• Dance, swim, walk, play sports, sing, run. We all need to exercise.
• Get enough sleep
• Take a vacation
• Read fun literature
• Write a journal
• Say no to extra, burdensome responsibilities
• Spend time with others whose company you enjoy
• Play with children, play with pets
• Find things to make you laugh
• Spend time with nature
• Find a spiritual connection or community
• Be aware of the value of non-material things in life
• Meditate, sing, and pray.

Resources:

Our resource center: Game Change Your Biz

Like us on Facebook