Business Coaching Tools and Tips for Mums

Is Your Business Actually 'Just A Hobby'? (Ouch!)

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:49:00 +0000

More and more Mums are starting home-based businesses to supplement the family income. On paper, it's like a match made in heaven - no need for childcare, very little overheads, and you can work whenever you want, choosing your hours around the needs of your kids.

At first, it's really exciting and you're full of enthusiasm and unlimited passion for what you're doing. Yes, it's hard work but it feels good too.

However, women entrepreneurs operate from a female mindset that often sabotages their efforts to be a successful business owner.

We are in charge of running the household to include laundry, house cleaning, shuffling children to activities, walking the dog etc. The majority of the time you put family first.

Let me explain further. You may consult your spouse and the family budget before scheduling out of town business trips. You probably consult the family budget before buying business supplies or investing in your business. You may also consult your spouse and children before you schedule weekend or evening activities.

If you operate from home and constantly put family first you are at risk of being viewed by your spouse, children, family and friends as working on a hobby or jobby (job and hobby) instead of running a business. This can feel insulting and lead to frustration because you don't feel like you are being taken seriously.

The advice I give to my clients is to adopt a new mindset. Stop feeling guilty and beating yourself up. Run your business as if it were a storefront. Stop consulting a spouse that does not support your endeavor, instead find a mastermind group or a business coach.

Mums running home-based businesses must establish clear boundaries for when they conduct revenue-producing and business-building activities.

It is imperative that you have the necessary systems in place so you can grow your business. This includes establishing a time for housecleaning and laundry, which does not cut into business hours or investing in a cleaner. Consider hiring a babysitter or someone to help with children and their after school activities so you can focus on business. You could also look into getting a VA (Virtual Assitant) to take on the low-value, time consuming tasks.

When YOU demonstrate that you're serious about your business, then others around you will too.

© 2009 - 2011 90 Degree Coaching Ltd. Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's monthly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

"Free Delivery"...Yawn, It's Time To Try Something New

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:30:00 +0000

The "free delivery on all orders over X amount" campaign is old. I'm seeing it all the time and ladies with online retail businesses, if you want to stay one step ahead of your competitor, then it's time to try something NEW.

Nothing gets people buying products like a special promotion...it's all how you position it.

Here are a few different ideas to get your products flying out the door:

1. "We'll finance it". Offer a payment plan - this works great for higher priced items and programs. (If you have a decent shopping cart program, you should be able to set up timed, automatic billing.)

2. VIP discount. Give a special offer to a certain group. Show your e-zine subscribers, your clients, your speaking audiences, etc. that they're special.

3. Free 30-day trial. Get their credit card information at the time of order, but don't charge them until the month is up. Another variation is the 30 day trial for $1.

4. Special bonus. Give something extra if people purchase before a certain date. (This is a great strategy to up your sales without cutting your prices.) And it doesn't have to be something from your company.

5. Pre-publication sale. Start taking orders before your product is even ready. (Seeing orders come in is also a great incentive for you to finally finish creating that product!)

BONUS TIP: Package discount. Offer a big discount if they order all your products/services or a select combination thereof.

I'm sure you have other ideas to add. Choose one for your business and give it a try.

© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Christchurch Earthquake - PR Opportunity or Disaster?

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 22:19:00 +0000

One week after the 7.1 earthquake rocked Canterbury, people are still coming to terms with the physical and emotional affects. It is an unfortunate fact that many businesses are completely unprepared for a major crisis. But it makes sense; it's human nature to pay attention to what's in front of us, rather than some hypothetical disaster that may never happen. After all, there are the myriad minor crises that pop up almost every day, as well as phone calls, meetings, e-mails, people at your door, deadlines, reports — the day-to-day challenges of running a business.

However, planning for a disaster may cost nothing more than a few hours of coming up with a response plan and practicing that plan. The costs involved for planning and training for a disaster in advance are a small fraction of what it costs not to be prepared.

Whether it's a natural disaster like a hurricane or flood, or an accident, death, product failure, internal fraud, sabotage, or executive misconduct — planning and preparation can help you recover quickly, and may just mean the difference between the survival or demise of your business.

One key to surviving a crisis is displaying strong leadership. In times of uncertainty, your employees will take their lead from you. And, if mishandled, the aftershocks of a crisis can last for years.

Good leadership and clear communication can help people cope. It's important to direct people — staff, customers, vendors, community members, or anyone else affected by the crisis — to provide guidance on how they should conduct themselves. It's important to inform them about what you know and what you don’t yet know.

But people in crisis need more than just information; they also need "emotional leadership."

For example, Suresh Patel of P&P Dairy in Hoon Hay, a Christchurch suburb, opened his shop early the day after the major quake to give away milk and sell batteries below cost to needy customers.

Messages such as this can help people maintain perspective and tolerate uncertainty longer.

Competent emotional leadership also speaks to and about shared values — those things that bind us as a company or as a community. When we remind people what we are about, we inspire them to function at their best. And to do this, you need to be visible. You must have the courage to share your reactions with the people around you, so people know you care about them, and they feel an emotional bond.

That way, if and when disaster does strike, you'll be ready to respond quickly and decisively to help your people — and your business — move forward.

© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd. Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz. Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

MAEVE Magazine - A Must Read

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Tue, 04 May 2010 03:11:00 +0000

I highly recommend you subscribe to this new online mag. Here's the blurb about them from their Facebook page:

MAEVE Magazine is a quarterly online publication aimed at the conscious consumer. MAEVE targets 30- 40 something’s… women… grown ups… parents… people who want more from their media. MAEVE is an observatory on human kind, incorporating a plethora of ideas and inspiration to bring life to your life and your family.

What’s MAEVE about ?

MAEVE appreciates that you are all grown up, that you are intelligent and street smart. That you are raising kids and creating a new generation. You have a desire for knowledge and a thirst for real life content. You want inspiration. You want to know what other people are doing and how they are doing it. How they are parenting. How they are achieving. How they are loving. How they are living. We all do it – its human nature. You want to see life in a state of fluidity. Full of flaws and controversy. Bursting with pride, success and failure. Naked ambition and true friendship. Hardship, sorrow and grief. Celebrations, milestones and mindfulness.

No bullshit.

Its about making your life better. Giving you something to think about. Evoking feelings in you and allowing you to redefine who you are and where you want to be. MAEVE gives you solidity in its purest form. Strong in presence and sustainable by nature

MAEVE treats you like the intelligent woman you are. We offer insight, inspiration and intelligent reading. MAEVE seeks to enrich and redefine the life you already have. Knowing that you have worked hard to be where you are now.

http://www.facebook.com/MAEVEmagazine

http://www.MAEVEmagazine.com

© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd. Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

What to Do When Your Partnership Sours - Ending Business Partnerships - Entrepreneur.com

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:53:00 +0000

Even in the best of circumstances, business partnerships can be fraught with conflict. To handle the twists and turns, smart co-owners put a well-drafted partnership agreement
in place to act as a road map. Without one, lack of guidance in the event of a dispute can result in a free-for-all for partners, says Jonathan Levitt, a principal with Outside GC LLC, a team of former senior in-house lawyers who act as "on-demand" in-house counsel for clients.

For partners who don't have an agreement, or even those who do, there are a few things they should consider in order to best protect themselves when conflict arises.

Read the rest of the article by clicking on the link below.

What to Do When Your Partnership Sours - Ending Business Partnerships - Entrepreneur.com

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Dunedin and Otago Growth Spurt

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:11:00 +0000

Whatever type of business you are in, a population boost for the area of Otago is great news.

Dunedin city is to expect significant population growth, with an increase from 122,300 (2006) to as much as 144,300 in 2031.

Dunedin City Mayor Peter Chin welcomed the projections and said in terms of infrastructure, Dunedin was well prepared for the growth.

"We're ready, even now. We're already working towards this projection.

"That's why we are refurbishing the Town Hall, building the stadium, upgrading water supplies. Basically, it's upgrading all the services we've got here."

Under the medium projections, Otago will be one of 13 New Zealand regional council areas to be home to more people in 2031 than in 2006.

The West Coast and Southland are the only regions projected to have fewer residents in 2031.

Nationally, population growth is projected to slow during the next 20 years.

On average, births are projected to remain stable in number, reflecting lower fertility rates.

But in contrast, deaths are projected to increase in all regions as the population in the older age brackets increases.

This originally came from an article titled 'Growth Could Boost Building Heights' by John Lewis in the Otago Daily Times. It mainly focused on Central Otago, so if you also get business from that part of the region you can read the entire article here.

© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Part-Time Working Mums Create Healthier Children

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:19:00 +0000

New research has revealed that mothers who work part-time raise healthier children than stay-at-home mums or those with full-time jobs.

A study of more than 4500 Australian pre-schoolers found kids of part-time mums eat less junk food, watch less television and are less likely to be overweight or obese, News Ltd says.

The researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with mothers and measured their childen's height and weight at ages four to five, and again two years later at ages six to seven.

The discovery has renewed calls for more flexible and family-friendly work programs as a means to promoting healthier lifestyles and early childhood wellbeing.

Researchers from the University of New England in NSW believe the surprise finding may be driven by part-time mothers being more conscientious on the days they are able to care for their children.

Co-author and associate professor Jan Nicholson, principal research fellow at Melbourne's Murdoch Children's Research Institute, said: "When mothers work part-time, there's obviously something about the way the house is run, and the way parents are looking after their children that is protective."

The study - Do Working Mothers Raise Couch Potato Kids? - also shows women who work full-time tend to have unhealthier kids.

The reason why stay-at-home mums have fatter, less healthy children despite having more time to implement healthy behaviour isn't fully understood, and researchers say closer examination of household dynamics is needed.

Media Source: ninemsn.com.au

© AAP 2010

Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

How To Create A No-Cost/Low-Cost Retreat Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:25:00 +0000

Indians we are told do it more than any other nation. People with religious beliefs do it once a year. Captains of industry do it less often. You can do it whenever you like.

For centuries, the practise of taking time out to do something different has been recognised as a sure-fire way of recharging your batteries, igniting your enthusiasm and solving problems. In commerce it is sometimes called a sabbatical, others may call it going on a retreat.

I take my private clients through this step by step but I’m going to share with you how you can benefit from this simple procedure. You don’t have to spend a week as a hermit on a mountain top. Just one day will release amazing benefits and the best part is that it doesn’t have to cost anything.

When you put a little distance between yourself and your routine challenges or issues, you see them in a different light and from a different perspective. You may even create a few miracles for yourself as a result. These will come as flashes of intuition that can lead you to take the action needed to resolve a problem.

If you look at an apple so close to your face that it is touching your nose you will only see a small part of it. Hold it at arms length and you will see the whole apple and its texture and colours. Look at it from the other end of the room and you won’t see the detail but you will see it in the perspective of its surroundings and in true proportion. It’s the same with issues or problems. You add distance and see them from a new angle.

Summer is a great time to do this. Simply set a weekday date in your diary right now, when you will take off to the countryside, the hills or the beach. Go by car, bike or on foot but go somewhere that you have never been before and where you can be sure of some space alone. Set off early and plan to be out all day. Leave your mobile phone at home and travel light. Then just wander around for the day, thinking of nothing, focusing on the ‘now’ experience.

One client commented she felt “off the leash” and just by being in a different place she found that her thoughts turned into solutions and answers, replacing the problems and challenges.

You create in life what you think about.

We haven’t had much of a summer this year, so go make that date in your diary now while the chances of a sunny day are higher. Look forward to it, keep it without guilt, enjoy it and return refreshed. If you do the same thing in the same way, you will get the same result.

Your one day summer retreat may be the one enjoyable change that you need to create those spectacular ‘miracle’ results that you know you deserve.

© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Get a FREE coaching session - here's how!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:27:00 +0000

Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero Goes Gold

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:33:00 +0000

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Ali Brown (who I have learnt SO much from) has just announced a new coaching tier in her Millionaire Protege Club, which will be led by my friend Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero. Lorrie is a key contributor to my eBook Leaping Forward. The book was written for business mums facing the same hurdles she and four other women in business face. Issues like time management, juggling the different roles women have, acknowledging and getting extra support when needed, how you value yourself and the knock on effect of that on how much you earn.

Here's what Ali has to say about Lorrie:

Award-winning marketer, world-renowned copywriter, and creator of “The She Factor®,” Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero is considered the top female copywriter in the info-marketing industry. She has written award-winning home study courses, conducts world-famous virtual copywriting training, coaches other entrepreneurs, holds live workshops, and is currently authoring a new book. Lorrie is dedicated to teaching the world it is possible to shift from the hype-filled sales to a more modern version…marketing written with authenticity, trust, and rapport.

Get a piece of Lorrie now by purchasing my eBook. It's just $10!

© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

What To Do After Planning for 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:06:00 +0000

If you have been following my tips for some time you will know I am a planner and strategist. Your marketing campaigns for at least the next six months of 2010 should all be completed or nearly. So for those of you who have worked hard, these hazy, lazy days of summer are ideal times for doing nothing, either on an annual holiday or at weekends.

And yet, for all too many of us we are so used to absorbing information, working against the clock, commuting and just dealing with life that we are unable to totally unwind or relax.

Relaxation is a skill that can be learned just like any other. It’s more than a skill, it is a natural state that is why we are called human beings, not human doings.

So many of my clients initially contact me with a feeling that ‘life should be better than this’. During their first coaching session, it transpires that their life could indeed be better. These same clients are surprised when I suggest that they could achieve more by doing less.

If you constantly keep a muscle under tension or strain it will ache and eventually fail. It needs periods of rest to remain in good working order. This holds true for your entire being – your mind, body and spirit. You must take time out to relax.

Relaxation doesn’t mean lazing on the couch watching TV. In fact, TV can be the exact opposite of relaxation, especially if the programmes are full of bad news, violence or crime. My approach to helping clients relax is to show them how to switch off completely, how to do nothing except enjoy their ‘now’ moments and how to let go of the many thoughts that may intrude.

Many coaching clients are amazed at how easy this is. They wonder that nobody ever explained this to them before. They are even more surprised when they discover how their energy levels are higher after proper relaxation.

If you want to learn these techniques yourself and get more out of 2010, contact me now to get started.

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

FREE Coaching Session!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:48:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

It feels great to start a 'fresh' new year, doesn't it? But you can only start fresh when you've achieved all the goals you set last year. Agree?

Your goals for last year probably read like this: 'I'd like to get fitter this year', or 'I'm not going to be so grumpy with my kids', or 'Hubby and I are going to spend more time as a couple'.

Think back. Did you achieve all you wanted to for 2009?

Well, now you can do just that for 2010! They don't have to be the same goals; you can make new goals. You can now be clearer about what you really want to achieve which increases the chance of achieving.

I am offering a FREE 30 minute coaching session for the very first time. Why? Because I want to share the power of coaching. It transformed my life! Just take a look at my bio on my website.

Yes, there is a catch. This offer is only for subscribers to my ezine, and only for January. But it's really easy! Sign up here for your free coaching session.

I look forward to coaching you to your better life soon!

Kirstie

© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

How To Keep Every Resolution Without Fail

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:58:00 +0000

Happy 2010!

We have all done it. We make New Year resolutions, maybe struggle with them for a few days, make ourselves miserable and then lapse back into our old habits.

Sure we may keep a few of these resolutions during our life, but for most, it is a losing battle. I have the vital formula that can ensure you can keep every resolution without fail.

The key lies in the word ‘resolution’. When we make these promises to ourselves, we should drop the ‘re’ bit of the word and concentrate on the ‘solution’.

I have used this on many of my clients and they benefit hugely from this simple change to their thinking. Consider why you make resolutions. It’s usually because there is some aspect of your life you want to change for the better, right? Instead of focusing on the great benefits that you will achieve, you probably tend to focus on what you are having to give up to achieve it and so of course you fail.

You attract whatever it is that you think about the most. If you think about negative words like giving up, stopping, doing less or changing something that you have enjoyed for years, then it is inevitable your subconscious will rebel to ensure it doesn’t happen.

Instead of thinking about resolutions, think about solutions. Think about how you will look, feel, sound when you have found the solution. Instead of thinking about what you may be giving up, think about what you will gain. Remember too that there is no success or failure – only a result. Don’t beat yourself up if the result is not what you planned, just change something and start again.

There are two main reasons why so many people get results they see as failure. The first is that they try to change the habits of a lifetime overnight and the human mind and body doesn’t work like that. The other is that they attempt to do it alone. The help and support of a non-judgemental and uncritical third party is crucial to a good outcome.

Many coaching clients think that setting a resolution is all that it needs. I often spend the first few coaching sessions getting my clients to fully appreciate why they choose what they choose and to examine their commitment to the change. Then I get them to define strategies for creating the change with small action steps that will bring them gradually closer to their goals.

Achieving solutions begins with setting them correctly and then having support to make them happen in a timescale that the body and mind can and will accept. New Year solutions are great if they get you thinking about your life. Remember, you can start work on a new solution at any time. The power of personal change is just too good to be limited to the first few days of the year and it really is possible to keep every resolution without fail.

Work with me as your coach and you will be astonished by the results you’ll achieve!

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Christmas - A Special Time for Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:54:00 +0000

Christmas is, for many, a time when relationships are foremost in their minds. But for some, it is a time of deception, when the printed words of peace and love are in direct opposition to what they really feel inside.

As a professional coach, experience tells me that at this time of year any relationships that are under strain may totally split apart. As families gather together, old animosities and rivalries can bubble to the surface. The mature approach is to just them go. It takes two people to have a disagreement. If one of them (you) decides that life is too short and makes a personal commitment to let the real happiness and peace that is Christmas become a reality, then there is no more argument. There is no point in winning a series of battles if you can simply end the war.

If you use your energy to perpetuate a feeling of grudge, envy or hurt, then you are using energy that could (and should) be directed toward more positive things – like building yourself the life you truly desire.

In coaching there is no blame, no right or wrong. There is simply an outcome or result that arises from an action. If you can learn the actions that create harmony and peace, then the joy of Christmas really will stay with you throughout the rest of the year.

If you want to change somebody else, the only place you can begin is with changing yourself. And the only time you can start is right now. If relationships, either intimate or work related, are a cause for concern your weekly coaching session can show you a clear way forward. If you’re looking for support, contact me to discuss your coaching options.

Have a Merry Christmas everybody and I’ll be seeing you in 2010!

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Use Breakdowns to Your Advantage

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:44:00 +0000

It’s not too early to start thinking about your goals for 2010 – some call them New Year’s Resolutions. The difference between success and failure is that setting yourself up for success takes planning, support and effort. Making the effort to invest in yourself and your goals now will set you up for success in 2010.

Over the summer your to-do list may get derailed some days. When the pressure is high, it’s tempting to shelve your goals altogether, believing there’s too much against you. But this is the best time to keep the faith and stay on the power path. Learn to love what is, rather than struggle against it, and the reward is rich!

You may have heard the phrase ‘You have to breakdown before you can breakthrough’. It’s my personal experience that the greatest things come out of the darkest times.

If you can’t see what’s coming next, don’t worry, feel your way.
If you don’t know how to get where you want to go, surrender to not knowing.
If you’re not sure you’ve got the right stuff to make it, have faith that you do.

You are in a place that psychologists call the “Cauldron of Change”.

Picture a large cauldron in front of you; it should look like a U-shape. On the left heading downward, is the Old Status Quo - your old life. On the right heading upward is THE FUTURE - your new life.
The curved bottom of the U-shape in between the two sides is called “the cauldron of change” - the chaos and dynamic tension of evolution. Creative juices are brewing there. Notice the roller coaster waves inside - those are the range of emotions and learning experiences you have as you transform your old life into your new life.
It’s here you are learning and adjusting, growing and maturing, becoming stronger, more confident and manifesting your goals.

Resistance – The Barrier Between You and Success

Off to the left of the Cauldron of Change is a loop back to the old Status Quo, dubbed “The Chicken Exit”. When the resistance to change arises, you have two choices.

1. Give into the resistance and go back to your old life OR

2. Let go of resistance and stay in the Cauldron of Change to create your new life.

Going back to your old life really isn’t an option. Because chances are, your calling will just gnaw at you until you have the courage to go for it again. So why not summon the courage now? You’re good for it. When you come out of the cauldron you’ll be stronger, smarter and get what you’ve been looking for in your new life, plus some wonderful things you didn’t even know to look for.

Everyone on a hero’s journey has lots of help. Find allies and friends to help you take leaps on this path.
Looking for some of that support? I have a couple of offerings you may be interested in. Click here for details of how coaching is perfect for you.

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

The 'C' Word

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Wow, once again the year has simply flown by - we have already had Labour Day, Halloween and Guy Fawke's! But this post is not about ghosts and ghouls or bonfires and fireworks. We are already midway through November which means we are very near Christmas already. So this is a timely tip for how to plan your perfect Christmas. And planning is the key to a stress-free holiday period.

Retailers usually begin to display their full ranges of seasonal gift ideas early; they are putting plans into action that were formulated almost a year ago. For many of us, Christmas is a last minute rush and an expensive time of rampant consumerism and materialism.

This is a good time to start planning your perfect Christmas. Not in a materialistic sense, but in a sense that is measured by contentment and satisfaction.
A lot of Christmas stress results from us trusting to luck that everything will be alright rather than taking control and ensuring that we actually make everything as we want it to be. For example, I am hosting for the first time this year for 12, possibly 15, people. I have been planning since October - writing numerous lists and gift/food purchasing schedules. That way I won't be so stressed or upset when the unexpected small things occur...as they inevitably do! I've already got my UK family's gifts purchased and wrapped ready to send.

And remember (especially in the current economic climate) children would rather spend time with YOU than receiving expensive gifts, so give some thought to what can you do this year to make it extra special? Take some time to think about the 'silly' games or activities you did when you were a child. How can you re-create those family traditions to provide fond memories for your children?

Christmas time, for me, is about family, love, warmth, and laughter. Any gifts received are a bonus!

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

What To Tweet About

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:58:00 +0000

By guest author Nancy Marmolejo:

I recently introduced my brother and his company to Twitter, and the first question asked was truthful and simple:

“Um, this is all good.. but what do we Tweet about?”
 
I like to use the “big room” analogy to help people get a better understanding of what to Tweet about: Imagine you’re walking into a big room of fellow professionals, all mixing and mingling.

You might smile at someone and say “Great shirt!”, or you may recognize a familiar face and ask “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”. You can ask directions to the appetizer table, roll your eyes and comment how crowded it is, jump into an overheard comment, or simply smile.

Applied to Twitter (and using it to network with others for business purposes), you can find many ways to create touchpoints with your friends and followers.

Here are 10 things you can Tweet about- drag this list out when your mind runs blank.

1. @Replies

The best way to develop relationships with people is to respond to their posts and conversations. Key in the @ sign followed by the person’s username (no spaces) with your response. Give support, laugh, share a similar experience… do what you can to show others that you’re interested in what they are Tweeting about.

2. Retweets

Second to @Replies are Retweets. When you see shareworthy posts, key in the letters RT or the word Retweet then @TheirUserName. If you use applications like TweetDeck or Twhirl, it makes this very easy. Retweeting is good karma 2.0!

3. Countdowns

You can fill an event and build anticipation by counting down to start time. 1 day left, 1 hour left, 5 minutes left… this strategy has worked incredibly well for live video casts, podcasts, teleseminars, and even in-person Tweet Ups!

4. Blog Posts

If you’re a blogger, let folks read your latest post by Tweeting the title and a link. Better yet, make it really simple by using a site like Twitterfeed.

5. “As-It-Happens” Updates

Whether you’re wandering an Expo Hall, attending a webinar, at a conference, or listening to a teleseminar, you can create a live newsfeed with your Tweets.

6. Photos

Use a site like TwitPic to upload a photo and send a Tweet simultaneously. What’s great about TwitPic is that when people leave comments on your photos, it will send those out as Tweets too.

7. Questions

This is a favorite of mine. Simply ask a question and watch your friends and followers respond. Great for impromptu market research or quick feedback.

8. Maladies

It’s OK if your Tweets aren’t all rays of sunshine and optimism… sometimes we need to commiserate in the public stream. When you Tweet about your sore throat, computer crash, lost cat, or stressful day, you’ll be amazed at the outpouring of expert support.

9. Celebrations

Tweet about getting a new client, finishing a big project, meeting a deadline, achieving a milestone, or whatever else merits a bit of festivity.This is a great way for others to learn about your achievements in a non-boastful way.

10. Trivial Touchpoints

Believe it or not, profitable contacts have been made on Twitter simply by sharing what you’re doing at the moment. Whether it’s drinking coffee, watching the Sopranos, standing in line, or waiting out a toddler tantrum, the mundane can turn itself into an avenue for real connections.

Twitter is no great mystery, it’s simply digital small talk. Small talk opens the doors to bigger, more profitable conversations. Use these 10 Twitter techniques to break the ice and make valuable touchpoints.

About the author:
Nancy Marmolejo is a social media and branding strategist who helps entrepreneurs stand out, get noticed, and get more business. Her clients have attracted major media attention, doubled their incomes, and positioned themselves as leaders in their industries. Get Nancy’s free tips on generating more business and leads with social media by visiting http://vivavisibilityblog.com/visibility-resources/why-social-networking-free-action-guide/

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Face to Face vs. Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:56:00 +0000

It’s fair to say that social media has exploded and changed the way we communicate with friends, strangers and business contacts.

But are we getting too much of a good thing?

I know a few people that actually prefer communicating from behind their computer than in person. And for those of us that run a home-based business it’s all too easy to operate from behind our computer or laptop without stepping outside.

But trends come and go and humans are generally tactile creatures, preferring physical time together. So please don’t forget to reward your Top 20 customers and friends with face to face time. Break up yours and their routine. Inject a bit of your personality into an outing.

If you try and recall the last time you physically caught up with a friend but can’t – ouch! What kind of friend do you want to be?

The following suggestions could be for friends, or business contacts:

Meet for:

Breakfast
Cake and coffee
Cook a yummy lunch for them
Go to the movies or an art exhibition

And if you can’t go face to face, get on the phone. Re-connect. Ask people what they want from you, what you can give them, what they value from you.

Stay in touch, and be consistent. Friends and business contacts will love you for it!

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Clear The Air

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:54:00 +0000

In the Southern Hemisphere where the majority of my clients are based, we are enjoying Summer but the actions in today’s article can be undertaken any time of the year. Winter is just as suitable so don’t use that as an excuse to procrastinate any longer!

Clearing the air helps deal with overwhelm and this can be applied to your business or personal life. Downward spirals need a change in direction, right? So rather than live life passively, be proactive. Try taking a shower, going for a walk, tidying up your office. If at home, open the windows, vacuum your living room, change the sheets on your bed. Buy some fresh cut flowers.

Think of refreshing, re-invigorating, re-energising.

Of course, once you have cleared the air and de-cluttered, steps need to be put into place to continue the new habit. One key step I’d like to share with you, is to control what comes in to your life in the first place. For example, how many ‘junk’ mail or e-mail lists are you on? Get unsubscribing to what you don’t read.

Remember, limit the amount of incoming and you won’t need to spend as much time, energy and money getting rid of it all.

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Hard Selling On Social Media: Just Say No!

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:51:00 +0000

An article by guest author Nancy Marmolejo:

Join me in a collective groan as I reflect on the enormous amount of hard selling and pitching on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

I’m down to two possible reasons why this is so prevalent:

1. Either hard selling works so well that it’s the reason everyone is using it, or
2. people are so baffled at how to make money with social media that they fall back on old, tired tactics.

I’m leaning towards number 2, and I’ll tell you why.
When I run through my Twitter stream, 90% of what I see are pitches. Some have the same copy I find on tattered flyers waving at me from telephone poles:

“Work from home, earn extra money! click here”.

Others are straight up calls to action:

“Only 10 minutes left to get the 75% discount!”

Then there are the veiled pitches that pretend they’re conversational but are really just what they are… pitches.

“I so love working w/ incredible client$ helping them make buku $$$ and luv life!” (this one is followed by a link to join a program or class)"

So why am I against these?
First of all, they break my 3 proven ways to turn followers into fans and fans into clients with social networking.

1. They don’t add VALUE to the network.

It’s a one way conversation and although it may be nice to join someone’s program or buy their product at 75% off, the message doesn’t inform or engage me.

2. They don’t boost CREDIBILITY.

This is serious, folks. Your entire business rests on your credibility. If you’re out there pitching furiously without real engagement that provides something useful to your network, then you don’t have a strong platform to stand on. Credibility counts. Google the names of the people pitching you and see if it leads to a trail of credible authority or leads to a cloud of smoke.

3. They don’t build TRUST.

We buy from those we know, like, and trust. If you bypass this process, then your prospects will resist your offers and raise obstacles. The process of engaging and connecting with your social media friends builds the trust needed to open people up to buying from you.

Adding value, proving your credibility, and building trust are essential in any situation where people are going to buy from you. Having access to thousands of new contacts doesn’t mean you will have success pitching your offers to them.

Do you really want to click on a Tweet that reads more like a classified ad than a greeting? Do you rely on Twitter as a place to buy stuff or a place to connect?

About the Author:
Nancy Marmolejo is a social media and branding strategist who helps entrepreneurs stand out, get noticed, and get more business. Her clients have attracted major media attention, doubled their incomes, and positioned themselves as leaders in their industries. Get Nancy’s free tips on generating more business and leads with social media by visiting http://vivavisibilityblog.com/visibility-resources/why-social-networking-free-action-guide/

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Little Miss Perfect

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:48:00 +0000

For my son’s 4th birthday I hired out a room at a local soft-play centre and I purchased the cake from a shop. There was no preparation, no decorating, no party bags to put together and most of all, no huge mess to clean up afterwards!

There’s so much pressure to look like you’re on top of it all – from your wardrobe and nails to your home baking and clean car. Whether that pressure is self-inflicted or not is another debate. My point is that we just have to cut ourselves some slack.

I will be honest with you. I felt pressure (internal and external) to bake the birthday cake myself and host the party myself – which would have included nothing short of a spring clean in the house before and after the event, party decorating, preparing special party food, organising party games and special bags for the kids to take home.

The idea of doing it myself made me weak with exhaustion. I knew I wasn’t up for the challenge. And do you know something? My son couldn’t care less whether his party was at home or away – as long as his friends were there. He was happy regardless…and at the end of the day, that’s all that mattered to me.

So from one woman to another, I’m giving you permission this week to let go.

One major lesson I learnt during my Post Natal Depression recovery was that being ‘good enough’ is far healthier than striving to be Little Miss Perfect.

Being ‘Good Enough’

Being a ‘good enough’ mum means that sometimes my son is in his PJ’s all day. Sometimes my floors don’t get washed. Sometimes we fall into unmade beds at the end of the day. Sometimes I snap at loved ones. Sometimes I get so far behind my laundry we end up wearing clothes un-ironed. Sometimes my workload takes over and I don’t have the energy to give my son the full attention he deserves after being in child care all morning.

What does being good enough mean to you? What could you do this week to make your life easier? Where could you cut yourself some slack?

Share your ‘good enough’ stories here.

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Top 3 Business Blunders

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:44:00 +0000

Occasionally I come across articles so well written I couldn't do it better myself and I love sharing my knowledge with you. Here's an article I enjoyed by Bria Simpson.

Whether you are exhausted from working too hard or frustrated from not making enough money (or any money!)- your challenges in business are very likely tied to one of the following mistakes.

To transform your business, or create one from scratch, that is fun, highly profitable, and supports your balance - avoid these top 3 common mistakes.

Mistake #1- Not having a SIMPLE SIGNATURE SYSTEM

When you don’t have a graceful system that flows from lower income to higher income sources, you are lacking different entry points for your clients.

Some clients will want to start at the highest level because they innately understand the value of premium investments. Most people, however, will want to enter your system at a lower level to build trust in you and your services before they enrol in bigger ticket items. As you deliver excellent service, they naturally want to move up your pyramid.

If you only have lower levels, you are missing out. You must need a bigger ticket, platinum offering to give the BEST of you and your knowledge - for those who want premium service and optimal results. In doing so, you increase your income and your clients achieve higher-quality results. Everyone is happy!

As an example, since a simple system with several levels of entry is essential for a highly profitable business – I focus my premium services on helping my platinum clients create their own simple, signature system with multiple entry points. The transformation in their income and satisfaction is staggering (just like it has been for me).

Mistake #2- Not having a clear niche market that passes 3 essential criteria

If you are already an entrepreneur, or contemplating becoming one, odds are you are a creative soul. You may have lots of really interesting ideas swirling around in your head.
Those ideas, however, will only earn you a highly profitable income, if your target market passes these three criteria:

You market has to want what you offer.
Your market has to know that they want what you offer.
Your market has to be willing to pay you well for what you offer or be so massive that smaller ticket items will pay you well.

If you are uncertain if these criteria are met, survey your market. If any criteria are not met, either change your niche market or shift your service to better meet your market’s needs. Trust me, you will be glad you did!

Mistake #3- Not creating and branding a business that aligns with your core self

Many entrepreneurs have no idea how to create or brand their business in a way that is a natural extension of their core selves - because they have never been taught what this means! People often choose businesses that either fall in their lap or are a version of what they have done in the past. Then they brand their business in ways “others” tell them to.

These are NOT criteria that will naturally evolve into a highly profitable business you genuinely enjoy.

The criteria you need to craft and brand a business you will love is to ensure that both the business and the brand are a natural extension of YOU. If you don’t know how to do this, hire a mentor who can teach you. When your core self is in alignment with your business, you will be amazed at how gracefully your business flows… and grows!

About the author:
Bria Simpson, MA, is a 6-Figure Marketing and Business Mentor who mentors coaches, consultants and entrepreneurs to create highly profitable, soul-inspired businesses that support freedom and balance. Would you like to learn how to make more money....in less time? Check out her website at http://www.BriaSimpson.com for FREE articles and to sign up for her FREE special report, "7 Key Strategies to Help You Make 6-Figures with Balance and Soul".

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

5 Tips to Managing Your E-mail

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:40:00 +0000

I came across this useful article while undertaking research and just had to share it. It was written by Paula Eder.

Finding time to keep your in-box manageable and your e-mail organised is probably not one of your favourite tasks. However, it’s one of those daily necessities that can become a nightmare if not tended to regularly.

Having some routines and structures in place for dealing with your inbox will do wonders to keep you organised, save you time, and enhance your peace of mind!
Here are 5 quick Finding Time Tips to help you manage your e-mail efficiently and free up your time and attention for other things:

1. Think of your in-box as your “To Do List.” The e-mails there should be items that require your attention, that are important to remember, and that you haven’t attended to yet. Everything else should be moved out of your in-box!

2. By the end of each day, aim to be able to see the entire contents of your in-box without having to scroll down. If you can’t attain this goal, you may be receiving too much e-mail. Take a look at unsubscribing from non-priority items.

3. Set up “rules” for your incoming e-mail. This will sort items and send them to folders before they even land in your in-box. For example you could set up an “Alerts” folder for your Google Alerts – or folders for different e-zines that you receive. Be sure to make time to keep them culled, too!

4. Create folders for different subject areas, tasks, and/or categories of e-mail. Suit them to the way that you work. You could have a “read later” folder, or a folder for blog ideas. Aim to “handle” your e-mails only once. Make your decisions quickly and don’t be shy about deleting items that you’re not interested in.

5. Decide how much time you want to spend on your e-mail. If you are in a position where you need to be accessible and responsive, you might choose to do a quick 10 or 15–minute scan, several times a day. If timeliness isn’t key, maybe once a day for 15 or 20 minutes will do. What’s most important is to figure out what works for you and then stick with your plan. Use a timer to keep you on track.

About the Author
Coach Paula Eder, Ph.D., The Time Finder Expert, has 35 years of success helping individuals, small businesses, and solopreneurs align their time choices with their life goals and core values. Heart-based time management is her passion. Paula enjoys nothing more than working with people to recognize and help facilitate the small time choices that lead to large, life changes … because the way you use your time is the way you live your life!
If you're ready to stop feeling overwhelmed, sign up for Paula's FREE Finding Time Boundary Template at http://www.findingtime.net/ezine.html/. And for more time tips and techniques, visit Paula's Blog at http://thetimefinder.com.

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Showcase YOU

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:37:00 +0000

Women in general undersell themselves and it’s time to put a stop to this bad habit. Think to when you last received a compliment. How did you handle it? Did you accept graciously and say thank you, or disagree with the giver?
For example, I complimented a client of mine on her blouse she wore to one of our face to face sessions. Her reaction was “Oh, this is so old I probably shouldn’t be wearing it anymore.”
I have also seen women point out all their faults when someone compliments them on their strengths.

Here are 3 simple solutions to showcasing YOU:

1. Spin a great yarn
Nobody likes a show off. It’s also a positive turn off listening to someone who begins their sentences or anecdotes repeatedly with ‘I’. For example, I’ve done this, I’ve done that, aren’t I great?
Capture your audience’s interest by weaving your accomplishments into anecdotes that are told with excitement, energy and delight.

2. Stand out
Typically we are taught to be team players from a very young age. But there are occasions when we (women especially) take this team spirit too far.
You wouldn’t ignore anyone else’s contribution when debriefing after a project so don’t skip yours. Make sure you give credit where it is due. Highlight your contribution to a successful outcome.

3. Peer Pressure
Your competitors are most certainly keeping your clients posted about their successes whether it be via email, advertising or meetings so don’t hold back. The same goes if you are an employee. Keep your employer posted on the efforts you are making. Don’t succumb to the ‘sucking up’ peer pressure. It’s time for you to shine.

It’s time to honour and value ourselves – only then will we be honoured and valued by those around us.

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

Step Off the Treadmill - 3 Steps to Success

noreply@blogger.com (Kirstie) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:33:00 +0000

As you move up through the stages of your business, the goals you may set for yourself become less about the number of goals and more about the size. Am I right? For instance, if you are reading this and in the start-up phase you will have numerous goals for various aspects of your business as opposed to those in the growth phase, which may have slightly fewer and more focused goals.

If you were working for a corporation, annual goal-setting and planning meetings is fairly automatic and usually take place around the start of a financial year. Throughout the year you would also probably need to submit monthly or quarterly reports to management.

But what about those of us who are solo-preneurs? Wearing several different hats – sales and marketing, operations, financial, customer service etc? Unless you have a high level of motivated goal setting in your life, thinking at this higher horizon often needs a boost. The beginning of a new cycle such as a change of season or business anniversary, or New Year provides a great opportunity to step back from your activities and thinking at this horizon.

To evaluate your goals and set new ones will give you perspective and a sense of control over where your business is going. Here’s a brief overview of what you need to do:

1. Where are we now?
Take stock of your current goals and measure where you are against them. Look at your mission statement and decide whether it is still relevant and if so, is the current path you’re on going to take you there? If your mission statement has changed, that’s ok, but a subject for another issue as it brings a different set of challenges!
Another aspect requiring attention here is to assess your core values. Undoubtedly most of you have set up a ‘passionate’ business. However if it’s not in alignment with your core values there will be conflict which may manifest as frustration, setbacks and disappointment.

2. Where are we going?
Here you want to evaluate your USP (Unique Selling Point). What gives you the competitive edge? What makes your business stand out from others in the same industry? Using the SWOT analysis tool is useful when answering this question. You need to identify areas where you can provide a greater offering than that of your competitors. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
Once you have done that, hopefully you will gain ideas to inspire you on where you can next take the business.

3. How do we get there?
Take the ideas inspired from the previous steps and turn them into SMART goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Accurate, Realistic and have a Time frame. You need to ask yourself questions such as how will we achieve this, how will I know when we have succeeded, how realistic is this, when we will be able to do this by, what might get in the way of achieving this, how can I avoid those obstacles?

Working with a qualified mentor or coach, someone who will hold you accountable when you start veering off your chosen path, is one of the smartest business decisions you make. Successful entrepreneurs don’t leave their (or their businesses) growth to chance. You need to plan for it and invest to achieve it.

© 2009 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.

Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.

To receive more great tips like this, sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.