Who Hires a Coach?

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Professionals hire a coach for many different reasons. For some, it is to assist them in starting or growing a business, for others it is to accelerate their personal development or to help them through a life transition such as a career change or to accelerate their progress. In truth, it is achievers who hire coaches - those who know there is another level. They've gotten pretty far on their own, and they just aren't sure how to get where they truly want to go.

The common thread among all people who hire a coach is that they want results. They want to see and experience tangible progress toward important goals and objectives. They want balance, fulfillment and increased income. They want increased productivity, to be organized and more effective. Oh yes, and they want to have a personal life that's happy.

Hiring a professional coach for assistance is no different than an athlete who hires a coach to help them train in a sport when­ the objective is to increase the likelihood of meeting particular goals (and what professional athlete do you know of that doesn't have a coach?!). A coach will help you stay focused on what is important, will challenge you to do more than you might think is possible, and will make consistent, big requests of you. ­ In short, a coach will support, encourage, and coach you toward the goals that are most important to you.

GUEST POST by Kathy O'Brien, JaffePR: Stop drinking out of my water glass!

Table etiquette makes a critical first impression, so here is a quick lesson on how to navigate the tableware at a business luncheon.

Kathy O'Brien

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new                                       home here.***

My colleague Terry Isner and I attended the PR News Platinum Awards ceremony in New York City earlier this week and were proud to take away an Honorable Mention win in the media relations category – a category that included PR teams representing Dunkin’ Donuts, Hormel Foods and Samsung, among others. This is the event of the season for the international PR community and it’s a great chance to network and rub elbows with the who’s who in the industry at a high-powered luncheon.

As is customary with these types of soirées, and many other law firm networking luncheons, social events, retreats and legal award ceremonies, the tables were already set to save time and limit interruptions from the wait staff during the presentations.

Gain Your Competitive Edge During any Economy

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Here are some interesting statistics to consider if you own or run a small business, are an entrepreneur or service provider. Did you know business coaching statistics show that applying the skills of a business coach is a great way to keep your business ahead during a recession?

It is predicted that for a small business owner to be able to work competitively on their own will become more challenging. During this recession and recovery especially, when the competition among companies is exhaustingly fierce, it becomes crucial to look for assistance to give you that competitive edge.

Business coaches give you an outside perspective on how your business is running. Because this is something most businesses do not bother to find out, this in itself gives you a lead over your competition.

A practice development research study revealed that 42% of businesses don't use a business coach. This same study found you can increase your profit margin by an average of 46% by using a business coach. 

Thus 42% of businesses are missing out on a 46% profit increase. 

If you're among that group, you may want to carefully consider if you can afford to not use a business coach. Compare the cost of a great coach against a 46% profit increase. For such a truly reasonable investment, your profits will literally soar. If your monthly revenue is $25,000, a 46% increase would be an additional $11,500. That's a 600% return on your investment (that is, if I'm your coach).

 becomes ...

An article posted on http://www.affiliatedragon.com stated that having your own internet business was the last weapon against a recession. However, as we've seen more businesses both off and online negatively affected by this slow economy, having your own business isn't a fool-proof plan. However, hiring a business coach can be the difference between those that struggle and those that survive and thrive.

To help them develop plans to build profit-growing businesses even during a slow economy, many business coaches show their clients how to navigate their way through changing economies, giving them yet another competitive advantage.

A study conducted by the International Coach Federation surveyed 210 coaching clients for demographic data, feedback, and opinions about the value and use of coaching. The study revealed that those who were coached had a positive change in personal work habits. This is instrumental to changing your business during a recession.

Below are some of the business coaching statistics gathered by this study.

62.4% smarter goal-setting
60.5% more balanced life
57.1% lower stress levels
52.4% more self-confidence
43.3% improvement in quality of life
25.7% more income

Those are just a few of the outcomes found through the study.

What we see is the number of people who are experiencing positive personal development skills to apply to their business. It's not just about dollars and cents, and most of the time companies who are struggling have a personal reason linked to their financial struggle.

Some more interesting business coaching statics were those that we don't immediately link with business. For example, 33.8% saw their health or fitness improve, 33.3% had improved family relationships, and 25.7% stopped a bad habit.

Although we don't immediately associate something like stopping a bad habit to having an effect on our business, the fact is that being lethargic, angry, frustrated or stressed can affect your work habits. To find out what may be keeping them from advancing, business professionals can turn to business coaching. Sometimes it's a simple as learning how to organize their office in a more effective and efficient manner.

The business coaching statistics found in this study prove that even during a recession, businesses that use coaches can still thrive when they take advantage of the skills offered by a business coach.

Here's what one of my coaching clients had to say:

"Honoree changed my personal and professional life. I hired Coach Honoree to assist me in transitioning to a new firm and the results were amazing. She helped me focus on growing my business with massive action and she held me accountable with a professional touch...never allowing me to settle for mediocre results. My business grew 63% in 100 days. I recommend Coach Honoree to any business professional looking to better their best...I consider her a partner and friend." ~Tim McElroy, Senior Wealth Management Consultant, Merrill Lynch, Las Vegas

Perhaps it's time you engaged a coach to increase your success?

You May Also Want to Read:

Why I Promote Others and You Should, too!

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new                                        home here.***

I'm a giver. I play from a place of win-win. If something is good for me, I really want it to be equally as good, if not better, for you. That's how I'm wired.

As I've built my platform and found my audience online and off, I've done my best to connect the best of the best with the rest. I think it's the least I could do, plus I believe I can't out-give the Universe. I do book reviews, talk about others I admire, and even make recommendations of products and services I can't live without. Why? Because I can.

But I've noticed everyone is not so generous. They promote promote promote themselves ... but others, well, not so much. I think they're missing the boat, the real and amazing benefit of having an audience and helping them to live a better life, save time or money, or even find business.

Here are the key reasons I promote others and why I think you should, too:

1. Aren't the best people and products you've found been introduced to you by someone you trust? I recently read two books that are life-changing, Hal Elrod's The Miracle Morning and Pam Grout's E-Squared: Nine Do-It Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality. I've told everyone these are "must-put-down-what-you're-reading-reads-and-start-reading" books. Are they my books? No, of course not. Do I receive compensation? Nope, not at all. Am I building goodwill and better friendships and perhaps changing a life or two? Yes, and that's my main goal.

2. The more you give, the more you get. As I've introduced other authors and bloggers on my single mom blog, I've gained new followers and readers, too. Some would say a shrewd marketing move? No doubt. But for the good of all concerned? You betcha. Win-win, remember?

3. The richness of life comes from relationships. My relationships with my friends are based on a mutual "I want you to do well," and I do everything I can to help them. I tell my daughter, "To have a friend, be a friend." So I give first. When I read a book I love, I reach out to the author and offer to help. No, not as their coach, just as someone with a voice and people who listen to that voice. You know what happens? I make a new friend, connect with a like-minded person, and sometimes, even bigger and more amazing things result. Hal Elrod and I have had some pretty amazing conversations about some pretty awesome possibilities. Pam Grout gave me advice on becoming a travel writer, i.e., how to travel like a rock star on someone else's dime and write about it. But I didn't reach out for something, I reached out to give something. 

4. It feels amazing to give something with no agenda. I absolutely love doing something for someone that benefits them without even a tiny little stake in their success. If my only reward is a thank you, that's more than enough. But very often I receive so much more, including the personal satisfaction I get from doing something just because I can. 

If you have a platform, followers, or an audience, you could introduce them to all of the cool peeps and stuff you know about you've been keeping to yourself. Wouldn't you want them to do the same? Who do I need to know or what do I need to be using/doing you haven't shared with me yet?

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ:
My Top 10 Business Growth & Development Book Recommendations

{Book Review} Money: A Love Story by Kate Northrup

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Kate Northrup didn't know it, but she was "my people." I saw her on Facebook, watched her videos, and resonated with almost every word.

So when I saw she had written a book, I couldn't wait for it's release. Literally. I sent her an email, requesting to be an advanced reader in exchange for a review. Not 24 hours had passed before I had a reply and an ebook of my very own to dive into.

I've read financial books from across the spectrum. From Dave Ramsey to Suze Orman to Robert Kiyosaki, if there's a book on how to make, spend, invest, save or multiply money, I've read it {or I want to}. Money: A Love Story, therefore, was right up my alley. It arrived just in time for me to do my laundry, but I'd made a promise to read it, therefore the laundry would have to wait. {Darn.}

I expected a book that included budgeting, investing, and making money. Money: A Love Story did not disappoint. I believe "repetition is the mother of skill" and the anecdotal evidence about how mastering the basics eventually turns one into a master is hard to ignore.

What I didn't expect what the open kimono style of writing Kate used when sharing her story. She shared her deepest feelings, including her fears and vulnerabilities around money. I thoroughly enjoyed just how damn cute she is, too! She was charming and funny all while talking about her businesses, relationship with her mom, and with her now-fiancé Mike! I felt like I was having an intimate conversation with a girlfriend, getting the inside scoop on a taboo topic. It was eye-opening to hear Kate's perspective on deserving a fantastic relationship with money, and I loved her tips on how to get more comfortable and even make friends with money. After all, you can't expect something you hate or are afraid of to want to hang out with you, right?

I was pretty excited to even have a major a-ha moment! I'm been on the fence about how to proceed with something in my business life, and right at the end the book, Kate said something that hit me right between the eyes:

"I don't want to spend any of my precious time ... where I can only get paid once for the effort I put in."

 And there is was, the answer to my dilemma. Problem solved. Time to proceed.

Money: A Love Story is a gem of a read. Even if you've read "all of the other books" there is at least one major distinction, lesson or light-bulb moment waiting for you that will literally change your trajectory. What are you waiting for? Get it and start reading it today!

"Never give up!" and other lessons I learned from Diana Nyad

Diana Nyad

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I will admit I hadn't closely followed Diana Nyad's four previous attempts to swim from Cuba to Florida, but when I saw this news alert on my phone, 

CNN: Diana Nyad, 64, is about 2 miles shy of finishing her swim from Cuba to Florida, a goal she's persued for 35 years.

and I saw messages of encouragement on my Facebook timeline, I knew I needed to tune in.

I tend to stay away from the news, because rarely does it inspire me to be a better person, go for my dreams, or think bigger. This is one news story I can't get enough of, and lessons abound from watching Diana's interviews this morning on The Today Show and CBS.

Here's what I've learned from Diana:

• Age doesn't matter. As I'm enjoying my 40s, I have had some thoughts in the back of my mind that I need to get stuff done now while I'm still able. No more! I jokingly said last summer that I want to do the Ironman in Kona when I turn 70, and my training officially starts tomorrow. Tune in in 2040 or better yet, be waiting at the finish line with some chocolate covered macadamia nuts for me.
• It's always about the team. Diana talked about how her team helped her to avoid dangerous currents, animals and deal with hunger, thirst, and swallowing too much salt water. Without her team, her success wouldn't be possible. It's true, there's no such thing as a self-made person. We all go farther and faster {and have more fun} surrounded by people who help us and cheer us on.
• It's better with music. Diana has a playlist with 85 songs. She sang Neil Young's The Damage Done to herself at 2 a.m. to keep going. Find some tunes that literally rock your world and keep you going when the going gets tough.
• There will be obstacles. Find a way through them. When Willie Geist asked Diana what made the fifth attempt successful, she said, "I resolved to get through the jellyfish. It's their world, but this time I had to get through them." She also had to deal with swallowing lots of salty sea water and sea creatures wondering what the heck was happening in their world. She had to just keep going. It doesn't matter what tries to stop or delay you, you can persevere and succeed.
• You must set your intention and be committed to it, no matter what. Diana had been dreaming of completing this swim for 36 years, and had made four previous attempts. Don't quit until you've reached your objective, completed your dream, and hit the goal.
• Stay focused. Willie noted there were other swimmers with her toward the end, but she didn't notice them ... she was too focused. When you're attempting to achieve a new level of success, or catch the brass ring, you must have blinders on and become oblivious to anything and anyone who can cause you to lose focus.
• There's the yin and the yang. For every thing that didn't go perfectly, there were several things that went great. This time, the current and tide were in Diana's favor and she was so grateful. There will always be some bonus miracles that will happen to let you know you're on the right path.
• Never give up. No matter what. Diana means it. I mean it.

 What did you learn? What would you attempt if you knew for sure you would succeed? Start today.

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ:
Make a Bold Move and Set Yourself Free {Honorée}
Control Your Mental Real Estate {Honorée}
Challenges, Schmallenges {Honorée}

Why Aren't You Following Up?

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In my post The Fortune is in the Follow-Up, I shared how long I feel you should follow up with a qualified prospect. The short answer: until. Head over there in a couple of minutes to get a handle on your fortune, but first let's discuss what's getting in your way.

New short answer: you.

Sometimes the question isn't how long to follow up or even how to follow up ... the real question is, "Why aren't you following up?"

There are a few reasons I've discovered in my coaching practice that people fail to follow up. The funny thing is, the reasons aren't all that valid. They are a smoke screen for what's really going on in a person's mind, and one layer deeper than that, their belief system.

Here are the reasons you're not following up and following through, and how to stop what's stopping  you:

• You're afraid. There is a possibility, even with qualified potential clients, you're going to get rejected. You are going to hear no, and you're going to hear it a lot. The only time to get upset about a "no" is when the person says "No" ... and ... "You're ugly." Then you can get offended, and tell your prospect their mother would not be very proud of them. But seriously now, you need to not only get used to hearing no, you need to hear no about a million and a half times a day. Or at least a dozen times a day. Let me short-hand it for ya: the more you hear no, the more often you get to hear "YES!" You increase the odds by increasing the number of times you ask. I get it, I really do ... you're afraid of hearing no, think you're probably going to hear no, and have other things to do. But you need to get over it and get on with it ... it being your follow-up.
  Nobody has a better handle on no than the authors of "Go for No" Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz, so hop over to Amazon.com and download it right now. {I'll wait.}
• You're "too busy." Alright, I've had about enough of this excuse, so I'm going to call bullshit right now. About every day one of my clients says to me, "I just didn't have the time to do 'X', because, because because." Here's the truth: you have all of the time you need to do everything you need and want to do. You're just procrastinating, doing tasks and activities that don't get accomplish anything real, and that's not getting you what you want, now is it? Once you know someone {and/or their company} meets your criteria for revenue, you've got to put time on your calendar to call them, email them, send them gifts, presents or bribes. Do whatever it takes, but follow-up and follow-up in a timely fashion.
• You're waiting until the "right time." When would that be, exactly, since you're not reaching out to your prospect? How could you possibly know when they're ready, and, what if when they're ready, they don't even remember you have what they want? That would be tragic! You must stay in regular, positive touch until they are ready. I will say this: their timing is very rarely your timing. You want new clients and revenue like, yesterday, and unfortunately you will have to wait on some folks. Let their right time coincide with a call or email from you and that's when the magic will happen.
• You've hit your success ceiling. This one's a biggie. You will never exceed the internal beliefs you hold about what's possible for you. If you find yourself making about the same year after year, wanting and hoping for more but never quite reaching the next level, this is a strong indicator your self-esteem and psychology could use some work. You have to believe something is possible for you before it could ever happen for you. I suggest you do some regular {daily} self-improvement. If you haven't read the classics, like Think & Grow Rich, or Psycho-Cybernetics, start with those. Then head here for a list of some of my favorites. As your confidence soars, your follow-up avoidance will literally melt away and what what once hard becomes easy ... including follow-up.

You owe it to yourself, and those you can help through your products and services, to be in touch and stay in touch. Follow-up until ...

I promise you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor as much as your clients enjoy them.

You May Also Want to Read:

RANT: Where Has Real Customer Service Gone?

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

My husband and I LOVE sushi, so sushi is naturally what we wanted to have for lunch on our 5th anniversary last week. We headed to our regular Austin stop, Sushi Zushi. Our server brought our drinks and proceeded to trip and spill my husband's Coke all over him, his white shirt, shorts, and iPhone.

Although he apologized profusely and moved us to a different table, when he brought the bill, it included all of our food and drink, Coke and all. No discount. No complimentary edamame. Nothing.

When I asked why we were paying for a drink that was spilled all over my husband {and resulted in a hefty dry-cleaning bill, a trip home to change, and missed productive time}, he just mumbled something and walked away. No bueno.

In addition, we've recently stopped going to Sugar Mama's Bake Shop. The goodies are fabulous. The customer service is awful. No less than a dozen times we've left the store {yes, we have a high bad customer service pain tolerance} and said, "Great stuff. Bad service." The owner responded to my tweet, and promised a few free cookie sandwiches. Tempting, but we would still have to deal with her staff. No thanks.

Where has the good customer service gone? I think "bad customer service" or "barely-there customer service" has become the norm, so much so that if someone even smiles or is the least bit accommodating, it's like a miracle has occurred. Why is that?

Here's what will happen as a result of that unfortunate incident at Sushi Zushi and our multiple disappointing trips to Sugar Mama's:

• This blog.
• The loss of our at least once-a-week visit to Sushi Zushi. We eat lunch or dinner there at least once a week, and usually once a week I meet clients there. No more. The same with Sugar Mama's.
• I'll find another place to get my sushi fix. And I'm going to learn to make a rockin' chocolate chip cookie sandwich.

I conduct a seminar called "Exceptional Business Courtesy," which is good customer service on steroids. I emphasize how to create an incredible experience that brings people back again and again, and makes them absolutely have to tell everyone about my clients, their business and their experience. I think the near future will result in companies taking a hard look at what keeps people coming back to their establishments, both professional services and retail, and implementing better customer service. At least I certainly hope so.

What do you think? Will it get better or keep getting worse? 

The Fortune is in the Follow-Up

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

Here's a common situation:

You've connected with a potential client, explained your services, and they seem excited to move forward. They even requested a proposal, and promise to review it and get back to you post-haste.

Then, nothing.

Weeks, even months, go by without a word ... no reply to emails, no returned phone calls, total radio silence.

What should you do? I say, stay in the game. The fortune is found in your follow up. Follow up and continue to follow up until one of four outcomes has occurred:

1. They die.
2. They go out of business.
3. They send you a cease-and-desist letter.
4. They hire you.

Look, your prospective client is being ... well, rude. Rather than say, "This isn't a good time." Or, "You're too expensive." Or, "I'm still working to get approval," most prospects say nothing. They are probably thinking, "I need to answer," but instead don't until they have a yes or some kind of definitive answer. It's a bummer, but it's reality.

You may follow up for months, even years. If you know for sure you can help your prospect, you owe it to them and to yourself to continue to develop the relationship until they engage you. Here is an excellent article with stats that will encourage you {thanks Doug Rawady!}.

Best wishes for your continued success!
~Honorée

How to Double Your Income in 6 Easy Steps

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Is this the year you'll double your income? Is this the year you'll take time to enjoy your new-found abundance?

Is that resistance I feel from you? Are you about to start your story with how that's not possible with your current income restraints, the economy or some other constraints? If so, this post is not for you. If you're in, read on ...

• Decide. Decide you want to double your income. Brainstorm, strategize, and be open to the possibilities. The formula for results is 100% intention (begins with a decision) plus 0% mechanism. Decide and then take the next step that occurs to you. From there, you'll be able to create a workable plan.

• Discipline. Have the discipline to follow through on your plan. Success is a result of your daily habits. You make your habits, and eventually they make you. Get in the habit of taking those crucial steps each day in the direction of your dreams.

• Determination. Determination makes all the difference. When you're determined, it's not if something will happen, but when.

• Delegate. I may sound like a broken record, but stop doing anything and everything you could hire someone else to do, so you can do the things that will make your dreams and goals a reality. You don't get rich, or richer, by doing what you've always done. It's time to do something new! Start by creating what will become your team by hiring one person to do those tasks that need to get done, but not necessarily done by you.

• Do. Nothing happens until you take action. So, take action. Right action equals right results. Get moving and keep moving. Until.

• Dump. Let go of and stop striving for those things that don't move you in the right direction. Dump, or eliminate, anything on your to do list that isn't crucial and important.

You can start a "new year" on any given Monday or first of the month. It's up to you whether a year from now you will have doubled your income from the same time this year. What will you choose?

Make a BOLD MOVE and Set Yourself Free!

What to Ask to Get Yourself into Action

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

The true meaning of courage is “to be afraid, and then, with your knees knocking and your heart racing, to step out anyway - even when that step makes sense to nobody but you.

Making a bold move is not always easy, and yet making a bold move is sometimes the best and only way to truly advance toward the grandest vision the universe has for you ... the one you have for yourself. 

SHIFT! and the World Shifts with You!

4 Ways to Make Today Awesome

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My daughter has always had personality in spades. And she can let things roll off her back like no-one else I have ever seen.

When someone is rude, doesn't call her back, or tells her no, she just doesn't really seem to care. She's pretty happy-go-lucky and while I've been concerned about her getting her feelings hurt {which happens, don't get me wrong}, most of the time she just doesn't care.

As a professional trying to make it in today's world, you've got more than your fair share of challenges and each one of them brings with it the seed of you possibly being an unhappy camper. But what happens doesn't have to determine how you feel about it, and it can't shake your positive attitude if you don't let it.

4 Ways to Make Massive Progress Toward Your Goals This Week

How to Make the Most of Your Time, This Week and Every Week

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

Right now your calendar for the coming week probably looks a lot like this (see above). You may have a few meetings and appointments scattered here and there, but for the most part you may have 25-35 hours of unscheduled time.

One of the best ways to make marked progress towards your goals is to schedule every moment of your week in advance, as in before you walk in the door to your office Monday morning.

I recommend the following 4-step process for making the most of the time you work, so you can relax and enjoy the time you're not working:

1. Get clear on your top 3 goals.
2. Treat each goal as a project and determine approximately how many hours you need to achieve your goal (complete the project).
3. Based on the time-frame for achieving each goal, how many hours this week do you need to focus on each one?
4. Pull out your mostly-empty calendar and block out time* to work toward their achievement.

*Note: This blocked-time becomes a non-negotiable appointment you have with yourself. Your goals, if well chosen, are worth it (and so are you). If something more important comes up (read: you get a meeting with a potential client, someone is writing you a check, signing a contract, or your office building catches fire), simply reschedule that blocked time so your project gets the necessary time needed for accomplishment.

Important --> If something is non-revenue generating, delegate it, do it during the time of day you feel least productive, or even during non-business hours. Do business when it's time to do business. Have fun and be off the clock when it's time for that, too. As an executive, you have two functions: make money and enjoy the money you make.

Here's to a profitable, productive week -- with some fun thrown in for good measure.

What is your best tip for staying productive and making consistent progress toward your goals?

To Your Success,
Honorée Corder 

Honorée Enterprises, LLC. turns service providers into rainmakers, average producers into rock-stars, and dreams into reality. For more information on how we can specifically help you or your organization, click here. You can read all about Honorée here.

How to Get Awesome Customer Service

Be an awesome customer.

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

My friend and mastermind partner Scott Ingram recently suggested one of the best tips I've gotten in awhile: tip the front desk person at your hotel $20.

An interesting thought. Well, you tip the valet, the bellman, the wait staff, anyone who brings anything to your door, don't you ... but not the person who determines where you spend your stay?

A lightbulb moment for me, for sure.

So today I tried it: I gave a crisp $20 to the lovely lady who checked me in at a five-star hotel in Los Angeles {along with a smile} ... and as I write this, I'm looking out over the city from my room on the top floor -- yup, the penthouse!

It occurred to me that in order to get amazing customer service, it's probably a great idea to be a great customer. If tipping $20 to everyone you meet isn't an option, {and of course it isn't,} then just bring your best self along for the ride, receive your service with a smile, and I guarantee everyone will enjoy you, their time with you, and the transaction.

10 Attitude Boosters Every Professional Can Use

Is Your Attitude Making You More Successful?

If you are experiencing challenges in your personal and work life, you're not alone! Delays, denials, even serious devastation happens to everyone at least once in their life. 

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

When you’re on top of the world, it seems as though everything goes right. This can be attributed to “like attracts like.” You may have heard the saying, “The best time to close a deal is when you've just closed a deal.” You've reached a high vibration, or have gotten in a flow state that seemingly makes things happen. The opposite also seems to be true: you lose a client, then another, then another. What you’re focusing on, you’re getting ... positive or negative.

Here is your formula for getting back -- and keeping -- your mojo:

• Focus on what you want. If you're focusing on what's going wrong, know this: what you're focusing on gets bigger. Create a mini-movie in your mind, a "moving visualization" of what you want to create. By all means, turn off the news. You don't need to see that again, do you?
• Give yourself time to learn and heal. You do need to "get over it" {whatever it is} or allow enough time, but not an endless amount of time, to heal your wounds. You can actively participate in your process.
• Ask yourself some better questions. Try these: "What's great about this?" or "What has to happen to make this situation the way that I want it?" For goodness sakes, people, do not ask, "What else can go wrong?" 
• Get moving! Emotion is created from motion, so get moving. Sitting on the couch with a box of Oreos isn't productive {so I've heard} and will not help a bit.
• Have faith. Sometimes the only thing you can do is know that you've survived challenging times before and you'll survive this one. The sun will come out tomorrow, and at any moment you can have the breakthrough you're looking for.
• Remember, “be, do, and have.” You must be positive, and then do the right things to have (get) what you want. To be enthusiastic, you must decide to be enthusiastic and fake it ’til you make it.
• Shift and the world shifts with you. Decide today is going to be an awesome day. Expect it to be awesome. Sit in a field of positive expectation and wonder what great thing is going to happen next.
• When something less-than-fantastic happens, you can respond or react. Choose to respond in whatever way is appropriate, and then press the reset button on your attitude.
• Dedicate yourself daily (hourly, if necessary) to expanding the scope of your positive attitude.
• Think positive. Read positive. Listen positive. Talk positive. Affirm positive. Watch positive. Practice positive. Make yourself positive. Daily.

How do you keep your attitude positive when the chips seem stacked against you?

To Your Success,
Honorée Corder 

Honorée Enterprises, LLC. turns service providers into rainmakers, average producers into rock-stars, and dreams into reality. For more information on how we can specifically help you or your organization, click here. You can read all about Honorée here.

A is for Ask ... or Don't Ask

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

I recently received the following request message from a connection on LinkedIn: 

"I am sending this email because this is the time of the year where we at XYZ Company really focus on the upcoming new year, increasing business and retaining current clients. 

Based on that I am reaching out to my network and seeking prospect referrals, I would like to list you as a prospect referral. As a Blank Blank Consultant, I am expected to provide a certain number of referrals, I would appreciate it if you would confirm that you don’t mind just taking a call from XYZ Company. This does not require any commitment although if you are truly in need of XYZ Company services I am happy to discuss that as well. I would really appreciate if you would reply back with your current email address and phone number. 

Additionally, if you have any contacts that you think may be a match for XYZ Company's services please forward their contact information. 

Sincerely, Name, phone number, etc."

This is one of several requests of this nature that I have received by email, through LinkedIn and even twitter. I even received a request for an endorsement from someone I don't know! In my mind, what's wrong with this picture is that I don't have a relationship with these contacts at all.

I have a strong belief that requests are best made once a relationship has reached a certain point ... when, in fact, there is an actual relationship.

There have been many times I have thought to reach out to someone because I thought an offering I had might be beneficial to them, yet I hesitated because I had dropped the follow-up ball. Meaning, I had gone too long in between touches, and therefore felt I didn't have the right to make the ask ... or any ask at all.

These types of requests are offensive because the person you're asking most likely feels (and rightly so) the only reason you're reaching out is because you want something. If you think it's too soon to ask for referrals, introductions, or for an endorsement, then it is {probably ... most likely} too soon.

My suggestion is to actually genuinely care about someone before you want something from them, and show it by developing a relationship with them. Meet them for coffee or lunch, call them to find out how they're doing and how you can help them, make an introduction to them or for them, or send them a referral.

If you develop a relationship, rather than viewing people as a possible transaction, you will fare far better. Do first, then ask. Or just don't ask.

12 Things SUCCESSFUL People Do Differently

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

What's Holding You Back?

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

What would you do if you knew you could not fail? If you knew you would succeed?

You would launch a new business, start a new career, lose weight, move into your dream home ... but something is stopping you.

What is holding you back?

I know most likely what is keeping you from your big dreams and goals is a few critical elements:

• Stories & Excuses: You can come up with reasons all day long to justify not taking action. If you're going to come up with a story, make it a story about how you're going after your dreams and goals. If you're going to make an excuse, make an excuse about why you can't watch TV or go out and party because you're focusing on making some really cool stuff happen.
• Other people: Some people don't want to see you succeed. Nay-sayers are everywhere, and you will most likely point out to them, by virtue of your ambition, where they are not going for it. By taking action, you'll make yourself a target of their personal frustration and jealousy. Stay away from them. 
• YOU: All of the above pales in comparison to how you're probably standing in your own way. Let's fix that.

Getting what you want ultimately begins with a decision, and making a decision has four parts:

1. You have to think you can. If someone else can, so can you. Period.
2. You have to believe you can. See #1. Belief is powerful, and you have to have a strong belief in yourself.
3. You have to believe you deserve what you want. This is a fairly deep topic. Suffice it to say that if you want something you don't truly believe you deserve, you won't get started. That would be tragic, don't you agree? Work on your self-confidence as you make your way through the rest of this process. I recommend reading this.
4. You have to commit and follow through. This will require some planning.

Your decision, coupled with one amazing, inspiring, well-thought-out plan will make your path quicker and easier {and who doesn't want that?}.

To create a solid plan, start with a longer-term, such as 5 years. Then, drill it down to something much more manageable. I'm a fan of working on something in 100-day increments, and I've created a 100-day Plan for just this purpose. {Go download and fill yours out now ... let's get this party started!} 

Base your 100-day Plan on your 5-year Plan. Stop with the stories and excuses. Ignore the nay-sayers and get the heck out of your own way. It's time you did what you've been wanting to do, because you're worth it.

"Stop playing small so you won't be noticed by others. Start playing big so you can inspire them." ~Honorée Corder {Tweet this!}