Selfishly selfless – what does that mean exactly? Well, for starters it means taking care of all your personal needs before anything else. Yeah, I know, sounds great eh? But the question I get over and over again, how? How exactly do I ‘do’ that?

Not unlike making any change, you have to begin with an audit, in this case of yourself. Do you even know what you would need to change in your life to be selfishly selfless? For me, I need a lot, but here’s a sample:

1. Food – I don’t know about you, but, if I’m hungry, I don’t cope well.

2. Sleep – unlike Tiger Woods, 5 hours doesn’t do it for me – I need 7-8 hrs

3. Exercise – I LOVE working out (I know, I know, you can punch me in the face now), but, I’m serious, I really do. For my entire life I’ve been an athlete. Athletics and working out my body is so much more to me than just staying in-shape. I’m the first to admit, I like the side effects, but moreso, I like the adrenalin rush, the connection with my body, feeling powerful and the confidence that comes as a result of exercising and challenging my body.

4. Music – it’s a constant for me, can’t live without it.

5. Money – I have a certain lifestyle that I enjoy, and that often requires a monetary exchange. Managing mine (both in my business and personal life) is a must.

I could go on and on, but you get the point.  Now it’s your turn.  This week I want you to identify what your non-negotiable needs are. Write them all down.  Then…

Tune in next week for the next step: Communicating Your New Rules

All the best,

Heather White, CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.

Falling in love with your business begins with being able to fall in love with yourself.  As women, we are quick to pick up on our imperfections and shortcomings and slow to acknowledge our gifts, talents and strengths.  All you have to do is take a walk by a magazine rack and notice all the buzz words indicating the need to change in order to be great: thinner, younger, more successful, wealthier etc.  My challenge to you this weekend is to make a list of all the things that you are great at – all your strengths. Are you organized, articulate, responsible, strategic – what are all the amazing qualities you have that make you good at what you do.  If you’re stuck, grab a copy of Strengths Finder, a great resource for putting some language around your natural abilities.  Afterwards, post the list somewhere that you see it often so as to remind yourself of your strengths and stay focused on what you do well.  This will set the intention for being the best you, in business and in life.

All the best,

Heather

CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.

There’s a really easy way to tell if you have passion for your business – ENERGY! Everyday, when I’m out talking to prospects, or meeting with clients, delivering workshops, writing or reading, – I am beyond excited. Everything (ok, not really the book keeping part) about my business brings energy to my body, mind and spirit. When I ‘work’ (I have trouble even calling it that) I am so enthused and fired up – it’s almost like I tap in to some other energy source that puts me on insta-steroids. (Colleagues may claim it to be one too many shots of espresso in my americano). In my personal experience, living your dream and creating a professional life that you are passionate about is the easy part. The hard part is figuring out what your dream even is.  The hard part is falling in love with a business that is authentically you, a business that lights you up, that gives you energy and excites you to know end.  The hard part is recognizing that you’ve lost the connection with your original passion and making the necessary changes to re-connect.

I was beyond inspired today when I met with clients who have developed the most amazing business model. But, because it has been so organic in it’s growth, sprouted from a ‘hobby’, as they put it, to something that is on it’s way to global status, their main priority right now is re-assessing whether this is still something they really want to do. Our next session (as per their request) will be spent on tapping back in and answering the hard questions about what they want, what their vision is, what their goals are, what is their big picture? None of us are attached to the end result.  If they don’t have the passion, energy and enthusiasm we will plan an exit strategy; otherwise we’ll make the necessary changes, set the goals and build a plan that excites them to no end.

Does your professional life energize you?  Are you doing what you really want?  If not, take the necessary steps to make the changes required so you can re-ignite your professional flame and fall back in love with your business!

All the best,

Heather

CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.

With the theme of New Beginnings and the spirit of the New Year in the air there’s no question that this is a time of change. The local gym that I go to is always a total gong show in January as everyone who’s ever thought about working out is there trying to start fresh and give themselves the healthy body they desire. What so many people miss however is that whenever you make change in your life, it’s not like flicking a light switch. You will not wake up, having not exercised for the past 5, 10, 15 years and begin a five day a week work-out regime from now to forever. You will be enthused and energetic in the short term, and then something will inevitably happen and you’ll miss a day, then you’ll miss two, then three, then you’ll think – ahh, screw this work out thing – I’m too busy to keep this up.

What I see happening too often when women try to make healthy change in their life is they take the ‘all or nothing approach’. You’re either leading the aerobics class, or, you never go to the gym. You have great intentions of a healthy diet, have two oreo cookies, beat yourself up, figure you’ve lost the battle and eat the whole box. This ‘all or nothing” b.s. doesn’t work. Here’s some tips on ensuring success for whatever changes you want to make this year.

1. Be gentle and kind to yourself as you attempt to change. You are going to fall off the wagon – it’s a given – and when you do, don’t beat yourself up, see it for what it is, a slip up, and get right back on the wagon. Don’t use a blip on the radar to give up all together.

2. Keep a record of your progress. It’s too easy for your ego to get you all wrapped up in keeping you dissatisfied with your progress. By keeping a record you can silence your ego and it’s ridiculous banter by looking back to how far you’ve come.

3. Get an accountability partner. If you can’t afford to hire a personal coach, business coach, personal trainer, wellness facilitator (depending on what changes you are making this year) get yourself an accountability partner.- click here to read an extended post on how to get a great partner.

4. Set a goal. It’s important for your sub-conscious mind, your ego and your motivation to ensure you know exactly what you’re working towards. Click here to read more about how to set effective goals.

Wishing you a successful, healthy 2009!

Heather White, CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.