Thursday, April 23, 2009

Note to Media – Please Give Us Positive News


I started yelling at the radio this morning while fixing my coffee.
The announcer on KJZZ, a Phoenix area NPR station, was talking about conditions in the Phoenix market and said "as the recession deepens…" and it just irked me. I expect higher standard of news from public radio and public TV, not some pessimistic drivel.

I know that pessimistic news sells, but the public is tired of constant negativity. Give us some good stuff please! Instead of stories about people who are down and out, give us a story about people who are taking matters into their own hands and pulling themselves up and out of being laid off, out of losing their homes.

Instead of stories about how foreclosures are affecting families, how about a story about families who are now buying their first home.

Instead of stories about people laid off, how about stories of people who started their own business after being laid off.

Lately there are more positive indicators that need attention. Two months ago I went to a Happy Hour at Rock Bottom with 3 friends. The place was practically deserted on a Friday. Last week I went again with my husband and it was packed. The market is slowly moving up again, interest rates are low, and consumers are heading back to the stores, albeit slowly.

What we don't need right now is any extra adjectives added to the word "recession." The recession is NOT deepening.

Give us some positive news!

Suzanne Muusers
Business Coach for Entrepreneurs and Independent Financial Advisors
http://www.prosperitycoaching.biz

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Daily Success Ritual - Do You Have One?



Do you plan your day or does your day plan you?

Some of the most successful people I know are well organized, utilize time efficiently, and seem to get it all done. The one thing they have in common is a daily success ritual. They may not call it that (unless they've worked with me), but that's what it is. They have created a schedule for themselves and they rarely deviate from it.

One of the first things I like to do when working with a new client is to set up a Daily Success Ritual that works for the client; one that allows them to work productively.

No daily ritual is complete without goals, so write out your goals on two index cards. Place one card next to your bed and read it before you go to sleep at night. Place the second card in your office drawer where you are likely to see it and read it before you begin your workday.

What's an example of a Daily Success Ritual?
Exercise
Visualize your ideal life
Review goals
Prepare for work (eat well, take vitamins)
Make client calls and appointments (set up coffees, ask for new business)
Follow up with prospects (set up coffees)
Follow up with paperwork, staff
Plan two networking events this week
Plan the next workday

You should have a mix of days in the office and days out of the office, so include the entire week in your planning. Some days will be more effective if you spend the whole day out of the office. After all, if you are not out meeting new people you won't be bringing in new business. If you're not bringing in new business, you are not growing. If you're not growing you'll have less likelihood of achieving your goals and living your ideal life.

If you don't have a daily success ritual, think about creating one!

Suzanne Muusers
Business Coach for Entrepreneurs and Independent Financial Advisors