People have been seeking connection with others for thousands of years, yet business networking is a relatively new phenomenon. The more you get out there and network, the more you’ll meet people with whom you can create genuine, mutually beneficial relationships. So, if networking is one of your preferred marketing mediums, the key is to find regular networking opportunities and start building relationships. Here are 8 ways to find places to network.

Networking Sites

Check out networking sites where people list events you can attend. The most popular ones are Meetup and Eventbrite. They list meetings in your local area based around various themes, and it’s an easy way to find events to attend near you.

Social Media

In the same way, you can find events listed on social media. People will advertise opportunities in their news feed and some platforms like Facebook allow you to create events. Use the search function to look for networking opportunities...

Do you ever feel trapped by indecision? When the pressure is on and you know you have to do something but you’re afraid to act. You don’t have much time to figure out the next steps, and you're stalling out because you're suddenly unsure. In fact, you’re not even sure you can make the right decision, much less act on it. What do you do?

The problem isn’t so much about what needs to be decided. Instead, when this happens, you need to figure out how to find the confidence to act. But where can you gain unwavering self-belief fast?

Give Yourself a Pep Talk

Hey, you've been here before. You've had doubts, made decisions, and in the end, things turned out just fine. Remind yourself of a little previous history where you know you did well. Now use a little logic: if you've done it before, it's clear you can do it again.

Choose Who you Hang Out With

Do you have a support system? If those around you are more likely to criticize than cheer you on,...

Staying organized both in your home life and work life can sometimes be a challenge. If you work from home or just have a small home office, it’s very important to make sure your work space is properly maintained and you can find everything easily. Too much clutter can make life much more difficult, and important tasks and papers can get lost in the shuffle.

'Sometimes the biggest gain in productive energy will come from cleaning the cobwebs, dealing with old business, and clearing the desks—cutting loose debris that's impeding forward motion.' David Allen

 

I’m not what you’d call a naturally neat person but I know that with proper organization, it is so much easier to find the things you are looking for. This will help create a sense of calm in your work environment.

Today I want to challenge you to look at your current work space and….tidy it up! I did this challenge last year and it felt soooo good.

Here are 5 tips to help you...

If you want to be successful, one of the most important steps is setting goals.  If you just work to get things done, you end up going through the motions with no real purpose or drive. This is especially important as we move into the last part of the year. Now is the time to review the goals you set earlier and see if they are still relevant and important. There is still plenty of time to achieve your goals so here are a few tips to stay on track.

1. Write it down.

When it comes to keeping appointments and meeting deadlines, most people have to write them down —or else they somehow disappear until after they’ve passed. The same is true with goals. There is something magical that happens between the brain and the pen. By writing your goals down - and seeing your goals written, it reinforces that goal and makes it more attainable.

“By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want...

If you are a coach or a service provider signing up new clients is your life blood. Serving clients consistently is your number one source of income but it’s not always easy to turn that prospect into a paying client.

Over my years of working with women in the service industry I have noticed three shortcomings that get in the way of them having all the clients they want.

1. They charge by the hour
2. They only offer single sessions or one off ‘fixes’
3. They don’t like to ‘sell’ to their prospects.

When most coaches or service providers complete their training they know very little about how to attract and sign on new clients. The information they have probably received is to start out charging ‘X’ amount per hour and slowly build their reputation. Although this is one choice, it’s not a viable option for the long term.

Charging by the hour is a trap that causes stress because you are in a constant state of worry trying to...

It would be true to say that there is more to creating a fulfilling business than making money.  People in the personal development or healing industries don’t usually start their business with the primary intention of making a fortune.

The only problem is, many heart centered business owners have a charitable mindset, and feel compelled to give away their services for very little, or indeed, free. When they think about charging higher prices they feel swamped with guilt. They say “ What if my client can’t afford to pay.  They really need my services!” or “ Who am I to charge that sort of money for what I love to do?”

When I first started out in business I charged what I thought was a suitable price. It was not until I started hiring an office with like minded businesses that I was told I was seriously undercharging. I duly raised my fees and every time I asked my clients to pay I felt embarrassed and guilty. I would...

We all know goals provide focus. With no plan to guide you, people  tend to drift. But there is more to goals than you might think.

Setting and keeping goals is a skill, and like any skill, there’s a right way to do it. One thing you might find helpful is separating your goals into behavior-based and outcome-based models. There are a few differences between the two, and knowing which is which can be key.

Behavior-Based Goals

Behavior-based goals are typically changes you make to how you act. For instance, handling stress better, being nicer to others, and spending less time procrastinating are all examples of behavior-based goals. They focus on how you personally feel and behave, rather than just looking purely at the outcome of your actions.

Behavior-based goals play into outcome-based goals, but they aren’t the same. When you change how you think and feel, often you’ll notice a change in results. But that’s not the focus, it’s just...

Image by Katt Yukawa

The way we think about money has a powerful effect on our financial situation, so if you have tried, unsuccessfully, to change your money mindset, you could be falling into one of these common traps.

Like any habit, developing a positive money mindset takes time and persistence. You will slip up along the way, it’s natural. However, if you find yourself slipping up frequently, it’s important to look at the mistakes you could be making.

Here, you’ll discover some of the most common traps you could be falling into that are compromising your money mindset.

Playing it safe

When you’re worried about money, it’s easy to play it safe. What if you invest in something and it doesn’t pay off? For example, you want to grow your business, but you’re worried putting more money into it will be a waste in case it goes wrong.

Playing it safe may allow you to hold onto the money you have. However, it’s not going to...

 Image -andrea-piacquadio

Did you know that your state of mind can make the difference between a successful business and a failed one? It can also make a big impact on your personal level of satisfaction. The key is to learn how to develop a success mindset. So, here are some tips.

Write Down Your Dreams

Keep a list handy of all the reasons you started your business. Look at it whenever you feel overwhelmed or negative. Remind yourself of why you're doing this. This list might include financial goals, too, and why you want to earn that money.

Be Realistic

Having impossible-to-reach goals is a recipe for discouragement. You want to have goals that are high enough to inspire you, but not so high that you miss them again and again. If you are having trouble achieving your goals or thinking positively towards them, stop and take another look at your goals. Maybe you need to soften them a bit so they become more attainable.

Challenge Yourself

On the other...

Imagine having to clock into a job daily that you hate. The work is mundane, the commute is long, and maybe your manager is making life difficult. Would you enjoy waking up every morning?

While we all have to make money to survive, we all deserve to feel fulfilled after completing a good day’s work. Yes, we may receive a paycheck at the end of the week, but does that really make up for all the unhappy moments? Surely, the answer to that question is a resounding no.

You may have noticed blogs, books and articles about finding your passion and wondered if that is what’s lacking in your life. The fact is that there are thousands of people all over the world looking for a better way. A way out of the 9 to 5 drag. A way to find more fulfillment and abundance in their lives.

In order to really live a life of abundance, fulfillment and walk in your truth, you must follow your passion. Although this sounds like a far-far-fetched idea,...