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.

We’re heading swiftly towards the last quarter of the year and it’s time now to start to assess the year thus far. Thinking back to January when you set you business goals and objectives, it’s now time to make sure you’re on track to achievement. You’ve heard us harp on all year about measurables and this is why. When you set goals for your business there has to be an accompanying action plan – without it you surely won’t succeed in reaching your targets – and more importantly a way to measure whether or not you are on track. Using revenue as an example, if you set a goal of grossing $200 000.00 in sales this year then you will know:

Quarterly Target – $50, 000

Monthly Target – $16, 666

Weekly Target – $3, 846

Daily Target – $769

Hourly Target (based on 8 hours) – $96.15

By breaking down your goal into these measurable chunks it’s easy to keep you finger on the pulse everyday as to whether or not your on track. Take a look through your 2009 goals and measure your progress against your goals. How are you doing? If you’re off target, think about your strategy for the last quarter. What can you do differently? What can you kick in to high gear to finish strong?

Everything you do in business has to be measurable. It’s the only way you can stay on track to reaping what you sow.

All the best,

Heather White, CEO 2020 Communications Inc.

Because of this, many business owners have turned to the likes of social media: Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In (and there are many more) which are all forums being used all over the world to spread the messages of business. One of the main challenges, therefore presented to business owners is coming up with relevant, fresh and interesting content. And gone are the days of having just a monthly newsletter, the sophisticated audience of today’s market is looking for content everyday and many prefer multiple times during the day – a tall glass to swallow for the already busy entrepreneur.

I don’t know about you, but the easiest way for me to get in to writing mode (i.e. content development) is to get first in to reading mode. Once I have a chance to read up on what others are writing about, in terms of topics of interest to me and the segment of the market that I’m in conversation with I get juiced up with content ideas, opinions of my own, or personal stories that give context to content that is already out there.

Alltop, an “online magazine rack” is a one stop shop for a plethora of web based, credible content written by bloggers and the like from all over the world.  Similar to an RSS feed but without the hassle of managing it.  Think Cosco for the mom of 6. Alltop also has a great feature that allows you to customize a page of your own personally selected blogs of choice on topics that you are most interested in.  In a 30 second glance you can browse the headlines (if you hover over a headline you like, you can read the first paragraph of content) of relevant topics topics that are of top interest to you. Having a system created to spark creative moments will save you time and money when coming up with fresh, new content for the market.

All the best,

Heather White, CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.

However, in order to truly trust the system there has to be some level of understanding on how it works. Fear is the opposite of trust and, in my experience, fear is most often bread from ignorance or not knowing. I’ve heard a countless number of clients say that it’s just ‘easier if I do it myself’, and this makes it impossible to walk away from your business, even for a few hours.

Sit down TODAY and write down a wish list of things that you would love to delegate in order to put your business on auto pilot. Then write down what you would need to know in order for you to trust that a system would take care of your business as well as you would. Then take action in educating yourself on how the system would work. You might ask an expert, read a book or article, or simply go for coffee with a fellow business owner who’s having success with a system you want to implement.

Your ability to trust systems will allow you to create a work/life balance that gives you the ability to truly ’shut off’ without ever compromising the credibility or success of your business.

All the best,

Heather White, CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.

I cannot wait to be sitting around the pool, lake, fire or wherever else we end up gathering this weekend and tossing around business ideas. I’m excited because each one of us is intelligent and creative, yet have all had completely different experiences to draw on. Over the weekend I’m sure we will mastermind and brainstorm all kinds of different ways we could band together, and mutually benefit from synergizing our uniqueness, make a ton of money and retire early in the South Pacific. (Ok, I’m not really sure where everyone else want to retire, but you get the idea.)

So often I see and hear of family members who dread spending time together and although I understand, it really is a shame. Having access to other minds, other ideas, other thoughts, other resources etc. all within the context of the unconditional love of a family is absolutely priceless. This summer, if you’re open to it, be more engaged at family gatherings. Find out what your siblings, cousins, parents and the like are really up to. Brainstorm with them, strategize with them, imagine with them. Not every family should go in to business together, that’s for sure, but I think that every family could support one another in talking through ideas, making plans and holding each other accountable to living out our potential.

All the best,

Heather White, CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.

Sunsets are one of the most beautiful things a human being can experience. No matter how many times I’ve seen one, taken thousands for granted, it is in those special moments when I’ve truly taken the time to watch this amazing display of mother nature that I have some of the most profound thoughts and brilliant business ideas.

There’s no real argument about the pace of life these days – it’s busy. Often flying around all day from meeting to meeting, keeping up with a mounting ‘to do’ list, staying connected with family and friends all the while dealing with hundreds of thousands of thoughts spinning around in our heads – is it any wonder that we feel overwhelmed on a good day?

Give yourself a treat. Pack a picnic dinner and head out to a beach, or park and watch the sunset. Notice in these precious moments of peace – what’s on your mind? Notice your thoughts – what are they telling you? Are you truly giving yourself permission to be there or are you beating yourself up because you ‘should‘ be doing…..fill in the blank. Take some deep breaths -get connected with yourself. Consider mother nature – does it look like she’s straining to get the sun to set? Are there birds overhead – do they look stressed? Feel the warm air, or cool breeze on your skin – let yourself relax – enjoy the moment.

Enjoying a sunset on a summer evening will give you great perspective. It will allow you to reconnect, get clear, and be focussed for the next day.

All the best,

Heather White, CEO 2020 Communications Inc.

]]> http://www.sheteam.com/2009/07/sunsets-summer-serenity/feed/ 0 http://www.sheteam.com/2009/07/fun-in-the-sun/ http://www.sheteam.com/2009/07/fun-in-the-sun/#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:11:10 +0000 Heather White http://www.sheteam.com/?p=1155

On the West Coast, in Vancouver BC, summer is well upon us and even though the sun has been shining 5 days out of 7 for the past 2 months, there is still a looming knowledge of what is coming…rain, maybe snow, grey, cold damp…yuck! We live here for the summer: sun, blue sky, outdoor activities galore, beautiful beaches, scenic mountains for hiking and biking, golf, water sports. And yet, entrepreneurs everywhere are glued to their laptops and pda’s unable to peel themselves away from their business. The very reason they left the corporate world is holding them hostage to the same habits. Working 8, 10, sometimes 12 or 14 hours a day. A slave to their business. And worse yet, the summer is passing quickly by. How can we change this? And quick?

Cease all multitasking immediately. Instead, do 1 thing at a time, focus your attention on the task at hand until it’s complete.

Start this week by shaving 2 hours a day off of your work schedule. If you normally work from 9 – 5, for the rest of this week, leave at 3pm. 

Starting next week, take one whole day a week off to enjoy the summer weather and accompanying activities.

Tasks will expand to the amount of time we give them. If you give yourself 6 hours to get done what you normally would in 8, trust me, you can get it all done. If you give yourself 4 days to get what you’d normally complete in 5, this too can be done. Think back to the last time you went on holidays. Did you accomplish an insane amount of work in your last week, especially on your last day? Take this ’sense of urgency’ approach to your work this summer and enjoy more days by the beach, on the water, on the golf course, or wherever it is that you’d rather be then in front of your computer.

Enjoy some fun in the sun!

All the best,

Heather White, CEO 2020 Communications Inc.

It’s July and summer is officially here. Kids are out of school which likely means that if you’re a parent you’re also juggling a new routine as you plan activities to keep them busy while you continue to build business.

What about a new approach?

Kids or no kids, what if you planned your summer activities and found a way to build business while having some fun, instead of the other way around? “Too good to be true” you say, try it!

As always, you have to have a plan because building business without a plan sets you up for a complete disaster and no matter how ‘hard’ you work, you will never feel accomplished. So, first off, sit down and write out your ’summer plan’. What is is that come August 31st needs to be accomplished in order for you to have had a productive summer? Benchmark yourself so that you know where you are now and where you want to be in 2 months. Then take a look at the activities you have planned to see where you can smudge the line between work and play.

For example, I sit as the Chair of a committee that, later this year, will honour 3 women who have accomplished extraordinary results in the area of Food. One of our challenges is that we have yet to sign on a keynote speaker. This is a major component of the event as the right speaker will draw good PR and media attention as well as draw sponsorship from the food community. 

In order to feel accomplished in this area by Sept 1, I have to have booked a keynote speaker for this event. I took a look at my summer activities schedule and noted that I had guests coming to town the first week of July, one of whom happened to work in the food industry for about 25 years. BINGO! I set the intention to chat with him about recommendations for our keynote presenter.

As we sipped wine and he rattled off 10 or so names of key Women in Food that I hadn’t previously thought of (it hardly seemed like work) the server at the restaurant we were at joined the conversation. The next thing I knew, I had her asking the other 75 front and back of house staff members for their recommendations for a keynote speaker (after briefly explaining the event to her). I left the restaurant with a great list of over 20 prospects to approach for the keynote speaking position, had made a great connection with the server and some of the other staff (I also do a tremendous amount of training in restaurants, so, another bonus), and had enjoyed the company of my guest.

Obviously, be tactful, there’s nothing worse than the person who never has anything to say other than ’shop talk’, but with some tact, planning and intention, you can have a wonderful summer and build business too.

All the best,

Heather White, CEO 2020 Communications Inc.

We’ve talked a lot about taking full responsibility on this blog and in order to go all in, you must be able to first contemplate the end result you are looking to achieve. You have to be able to ’see’ yourself doing, or being, or having whatever it is that exemplifies your ‘all in’ position. Most people (admitting gross generalization here) contemplate all the things they don’t want, the things they are afraid might happen, they imagine results that deter them from going all in.  So, as a little exercise this week, try this:

1. Make a list of the things you want, to be, to do, to have.

2. Write out the excuses that you’ve made as to why the above list is not a reality in your life.

3. Ask yourself if your excuse is true?

4. Is it also possible for your excuse to not be true?

5. What would be the direct opposite of your excuse?

6. Is that true?

7. Is it possible for it not to be true?

*so if both your excuse, and the direct opposite of your excuse could both be true, why don’t we focus on the latter?  - Good question ehh?

Here’s one of my examples:

1. I want to write a best-selling book

2. One major excuse I’ve used is that ‘I don’t have time’

3. Yes, this is perceptually true.

4. Yes, it’s possible for it not to be true.

5. The opposite would be: I have more than enough time in the world to write a book.

6. Yes, this could also be true.

So, starting tomorrow, the new thought I will contemplate is the ‘completion of my manuscript’.  Then I will ask myself “how can I build time into my schedule to work on the book?”

Take the first action step in the achievement of your goals by focussing your thinking on what you do want, not, what you don’t.

All the best,

Heather White, CEO 2020 Communications Inc.

I’ve heard this story shared many times in my travels and yet I still see people making this mistake all the time.  The story goes like this:

There is this very pious Jew named Goldberg who always dreamed of winning the lottery. Every Sabbath, he’d go to synagogue and pray: “God, I have been such a pious Jew all my life. What would be so bad if I won the lottery?” But the lottery would come and Goldberg wouldn’t win. Week after week, Goldberg would pray to win the lottery, but the lottery would come and Goldberg wouldn’t win. Finally, one Sabbath, Goldberg wails to the heavens and says: “God, I have been so pious for so long, what do I have to do to win the lottery?” 

And the heavens parted and the voice of God came down: “Goldberg, give me a chance! Buy a ticket!” 

Human beings, in general, spend a lot of time making excuses about why they don’t have the things they want in their life. We’ve heard them all:

I’m too old, I’m too young, I can’t afford it, I don’t have time, I’m too tired, It’s too ‘risky’

Or they spend time worrying about what might happen if they ‘go all in’ on whatever their aspiration might be and scare themselves out of even trying. (If I quit my job and start my dream business, it might go bankrupt and I’ll lose everything and so therefore, I’m not going to bother trying.)

Call me Pollyanna, but, I truly believe that if you have an authentic, natural desire to be, do or have something in your life – you have within you the energy, the knowledge, the power, and whatever else you need to make it so. No more excuses, no more worrying – decide what you want and take action to make it a reality.

You can’t ‘win’ if you don’t buy a ticket, so get in the game, give yourself a chance and let the rest unfold!

All the best,

Heather White, CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.