Move From the "Can" to the "How"

How many times do you think about doing something that feels like a stretch and you ask yourself, "Can I do this'? Those four little words can really set the stage for the end result. If you ask yourself "Can I do this" you are introducing and validating your own self-doubt. When that enters, the goal seems that much further away and you are ultimately sabotaging your results.

Rather than asking "Can I do this", ask instead, "How can I do this". The mere act of rephrasing that shifts the paradigm from one of self-doubt to one of embracing the possibilities. When you ask, "Can I do this" you are really prompting your mind to make an immediate assessment and answer yes or no. The sad realization is that we often gravitate to the "no" response.. The key is to start a conversation with your mind. When your brain is confronted with the "how" it will immediately shift into offering possibilities and finding solutions. Our brain is like a computer and it will naturally seek out the solution when presented the problem. But we have to take that first step to in essence, program our brain to respond to our request.

"How can I do this" implies the solution is out there it's just a matter of us putting together the right pieces to make it happen. It entails being open and aware of the opportunities that already exist around us and a willingness to step into them. The solution always exists when you don't shut down the process. Make sure your mindset is such that you are ready to receive it.

The next time you are confronted with a situation that requires you to step outside your comfort zone or stretches you to that next level, ask yourself "how can I do this"? Allow yourself to open up to the process and you will find the solution will present itself.

Action Step:
Catch yourself the next time you say, "Can I do this". Stop and immediately rephrase that to "How can I do this" and keep reinforcing that until you sense you've let go of any self doubt and allowed yourself to embrace the possibilities. Train your mind to immediately let go of the "Can I" response. Write out your thoughts. Let any self-doubt that exists come out and release it. Open up the way for the solution to show up. The solution always exists, you just need to create an environment that allows it to manifest.

Karen Dunlap is an interior designer, business owner and creator of the Design For Your Success NOW System™, a unique training and coaching program specifically created for design professionals. Using specific strategies and systems, Karen coaches design professionals on how to simplify their business, attract ideal clients and get back to their original passion, designing and decorating.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Dunlap

Relationships Can Build or Hurt Your Business

Even though we are solo professionals,k there are many people who can influence us for good or evil over time. It is therefore important to be cautious about the people who we have as associates. There are several types of relationships that can hurt our business:

1. Partners - Many of us have been burned in the past after beginning a venture with high hopes only to have them dashed when the person who we chose to partner with does not have the same goals, lifestyle or ambition. This may be a business partner who perhaps does not invest time and energy to the degree that was promised or a romantic partner who has a completely different idea of how your lives and business should operate. Be cautious!

2. Friends - People can enter and leave your life just as the seasons change. Usually we are attracted to others because we have something in common but if one of us grows the relationship can end either abruptly or through a gradual slide that is almost imperceptible. Unfortunately, jealousy can interfere with what was previously a supportive and enjoyable relationship. It is therefore important that you live in the moment and be able to let go of the other person when the right time for this arrives.

3. Associates - It is very easy to get into habits that might not be very positive for your business. An associate might, for example, invite you for an after-work beverage which evolves into drinking several times a week or even every night. This can be an expensive, time-consuming activity that may actually result in a negative label in the community.

4. Consultants - Over the years, I have spent a great deal of money hiring professionals who claim that they are experts only to be disappointed when they tried to led me into an area that I felt didn't fit my values or goals. Just because they promote themselves as the "expert" doesn't mean that they are the "expert" of me or my business. You need to have a good match with the person who is to help you to build and grow your business. Choose well.

5. Clients - Usually you don't know clients when they book their first appointment with you and, as you get to know them you will soon realize that some of them are "toxic" individuals who would not hesitate to bad-mouth anyone who crosses their path. Be very discerning about issues that clients may have and endeavor to resolve them before things fester into a situation that might harm your business. Also, remember that it is acceptable for you to "fire" your clients if you feel that you are not making progress. A good referral might be just the answer!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock

Martial Arts Business Marketing to Attract Adult Students

I've spoken to a lot of school owners recently about the whole "Adult Marketing" thing.

Some of these ladies and gentlemen have as much as an 80% adult population in their schools.

Some have mainly kids and a small number of adults.

Both have one thing in common...

The want more adult students.

And not just for their "Fitness Kickboxing" programs.

Some of these schools have pretty full fitness type classes. But these are usually NOT martial arts or MMA classes. In most cases the member pays a lot less than the tuition in the "Real Martial Arts program."

Often the question from these school owners is...

"How do I ramp up my adult martial arts program?"

My response is based on one key principle regardless of whether their school is doing MMA, BJJ or "traditional martial arts."

"It comes down to the MESSAGE!"

Does the message you're getting out there for your adult program position your school against the competition of the health club?

Does it talk about the personal nature and guidance you give your students?

Does it assure them they'll be safe? Most professional good quality adult prospects can't walk in to work with a black eye the next day!

Does it warn them against all the UN-professional hacks out there who just want their money?

Does it let them know you have classes for beginners? (Don't assume they know they'll be in a beginner class!)

Are you making the mistake of trying to market to teens and adults at the same time? Big Mistake!!

This is the tip of the iceberg on what you need to think about if you want to ramp up your adult programs.

Have fun because as you know classes full of intense committed adult martial arts students can be a joy to teach.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Dolpies

Do You Embrace the "Ebbs" in Your Business?

I don't always have to be busy. Repeat that again, I don't always have to be busy. There is a natural ebb and flow to our business that we need to learn to embrace more fully. In a society that promotes 24/7 access, it's hard to give ourselves permission to not get caught up in the mindset of always having to be busy.

Just look to nature to better understand that there is an innate rhythm that allows times of growth to be offset with times of rest. When we fight this, we are fighting the flow of nature. The slow times allow for regeneration and reenergizing. It doesn't mean we don't do anything; we just alter our course a little bit and take the time to reconnect and refocus.

Embrace the slow times to really get centered on your business and your goals. Always have a running list close at hand that identifies business development opportunities. As ideas come to mind, write them down. Use the slower times to map out these opportunities. Identify the necessary steps and the resources needed to get you from point A to point B and then here is the key, IMPLEMENT! The slower times really are there to give you breathing room so you can plan and grow to that next level. I don't mean to suggest you leave business development to only the slow times, it truly should be part of every week if not every day but you can leapfrog your business development during the slow teams if you adequately prepare for them and know "what to do next".

Growth is a process. While we've all heard the "overnight" success story, typically we're only hearing about the present and when you dig a little deeper into the story behind the headline, you uncover a journey that was filled with ebbs and flows. It is how these individuals worked with these ebbs and flows that contributed to their success. They didn't accept the ebbs as defeat but rather dug in and re-evaluated and uncovered something that could make them better and stronger. That is the true measure of success.

Don't ever accept clients just to keep "busy". While it may initially seem attractive because they'll pay the bills, accepting clients that may not be your ideal client will preclude you from being able to fully embrace the intended ebb in your business. While short term goals may be met, the longer term goals will the be opportunity cost and you'll remain where you are even longer.

Resist the urge to always stay busy and accept the ebbs in your business as just a natural part of the process. Plan and prepare for those ebbs so they can create more flows in the future. When you match your business to this natural rhythm, you'll start to feel and see the difference in your bottom line results.

ACTION STEPS:

Buy a notebook or journal and dedicate it to recording your business development ideas and strategies. Having this in one place simplifies the process and allows you easily to track your progress. I used to jot down ideas and thoughts on random pieces of paper but as you can guess, that bright idea I had got buried in the business of things and was ultimately lost and forgotten.

I can't tell you how many wasted hours I've spent searching for those random notes! My little notebook has saved me and it's fun to look back and see how the little ideas have flowed and generated into even bigger and better ideas. The initial seeds are captured and given the opportunity to bloom into their potential. Embrace the ebbs in your business and look at those times as laying the foundation for your next big leap forward. You'll soon discover the wonderful benefits of working "in the flow".


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Dunlap