“In these days, a man who says a thing cannot be done is quite apt to be interrupted by some idiot doing it.”

– Elbert Hubbard

Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.—
George S. Patton

Okay, have my 2010 business strategies updated, now on to more article writing. Love that I can have so much flexibility and energy to do what I do. I hope you have love and energy for what you do as well.

“I feel happy, I feel healthy, I feel terrific!” – Brian Tracy
I hope you do as well!

Find a thick rubber band and place it on your left wrist. Every time you catch yourself thinking a negative thought, snap the rubber band. Yes, it hurts a bit! This pain acts to break your negative thought patterns and interrupts your destructive self talk. — From The One Minute Millionaire

Completed my writing for the day…can’t wait to see the results. Have you ever thought about the 7o in 7 days approach to getting what you want?

Wishing you all the happiest New Year. May you have all the success you want and deserve in 2010.
Let me know what I can do, say or give that would add value to your business. I would love to have you visit me at: www.centerforleadershipskills.com

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” – Bill Cosby

A Work at Home Entrepreneurs Frustration

Today I am compelled to write about a frustration that I have, and as I’m probably like 90 plus percent of small business entrepreneurs who work from home, I imagine that many of you have the same frustration from time to time – TIME!

Because we work from our homes, the rest of the world seems to have a sense that we are “not really working”!

You probably hear from time to time, as I do “How do you like retirement?”  I want to scream when I hear this. My response , usually with a smile is, “Oh, I am far from retired! Conversation goes on, the listeners still don’t really get it. They see us about during the day and they see that we have some flexibility, but they don’t really get it.  Get what you say?  The fact that I may have started writing at 6:00 am or, that I am still working at 10:00 pm. That I may be just starting a nationwide or international conference call at 9:00 pm. So, how do we deal with this misconception that we are probably working ten times harder or more than ever;and the disruptions or the expectations that are thrust upon us by those who believe us “retired”  just “dabbling in a business”, or not working.

We do it by standing up for ourselves, by not answering every phone call as if it were necessary, by planning our days with focus on the job or tasks that must be completed to reach our goals. We do it by respecting ourselves, and the mission hat drives us. We do it through good old fashioned will and determination.

We tell people we are busy and can’t talk to them at the moment; we refuse the lunch invitation if it is not moving our business and ultimate goal closer to fruition, and we do it by leaving a note on the door that asks that we are not to be  interrupted during certain times. Sometimes we can be graceful, but, many times we will have to be just plain blunt!

Try putting a nicely designed  sign on the door that states, your business hours, and unless you have an appointment – please do not disturb unless it’s an emergency.

Have  a voicemail message  for callers that states that unless they have a telephone appointment your call will be answered with 24-48 hours. Do the same for your e-mail messages.

As entrepreneurs we need to focus on  activity that is income producing. We need to establish our priorities based on our mission and our goals. We need to buckle down and behave like the business people we are. In doing so we earn the respect that we want and deserve as work at home business people as successful entrepreneurs.

Are Your Listening Skills Serving Your Leadership Style?

Are your listening skills all they could be? Are they serving you and your business associates, staff and customers to get the best results? Let’s talk about how you hear others. Great listening skills are key to great communications. Great communications skills are key to great leadership skills, there is no getting around it – you must become a great listener.

Listening is not an easy skill to get your arms around and even  the best have to work at it on a consistent basis. How many times in a day have you seen yourself in a conversation, where all of a sudden you become aware that you “missed” what the speaker was saying? Now, think about all the times you have been talking, explaining or giving direction and the listener didn’t have a clue about what you said?  Hmmm, makes the thinking around the whole business of communications pretty mucky doesn’t it?

So, over the next few weeks, I am going to be blogging about how we listen and tune in to others. I will provide you with  skills you can use to become a great listener yourself. You’ll be surprised at how you will change, and perhaps you’ll be surprised to notice others listening more intently to you.  Until next time!

You may visit Lindel at www.thedynamicbusinesscoach.com

Happy Independence Day everyone! May we all be blessed with peace, happiness and sunshine!!

Check out -The Hot Pink Success upcoming workshop – How to Get What You Want. http://ping.fm/aQzAm