Archive for December, 2009

Oops, you did it again didn’t you?  You discounted your products and services.  I bet you feel like crap right now and are really angry with yourself because you are not getting paid the amount of money you want, need or deserve.  Am I right… am I?

I can even imagine how this happened.  You were having a conversation with a perspective client and they began hemming and hawing about the price and so you immediately jumped into discounting mode and then oops, you did it again.

You know what discounting represents?  It represents that big pink elephant in the room called DOUBT! And you know what else?  It tells me that instead of being focused on the results of your product or service you are focused on features and that is the wrong thing to be focused on my friends.

Your fee is a representation of your inner worth. When you doubt your fees you doubt yourself and your value.  You are negotiating with yourself.  Your internal conversation probably sounds something like this:  “If I don’t discount my services I won’t get this client” or possibly you say “I am afraid they will think I am charging too much for my service” or “I don’t think they will be able to see the value of what I offer if my price is so high.”  The list is endless.

Behind the self talk is the reality that we doubt ourselves and do not truly value ourselves enough to charge what we are worth.  Somehow the money becomes more important.

A good friend told me of a recent conversation with a client.  At each point in the sales transaction this person had repeatedly and repeatedly demanded a discount.  It was becoming and endless cycle of my friend providing outstanding service, client showing up, demanding a discount and getting one, and another and another.  She even reported to me that she had taken a loss on some of the transactions.

Does this sound familiar?

Here is what needs to happen for you to STOP discounting and start valuing yourself!

When you are able to see the value of what you offer and the results that you create as being more important than the money that you charge you will never discount again.  And it will get easier and easier for you to charge more money for your services because you are confident in the result your clients will get from working with you.

Is there ever a time where discounting is a good idea?  I don’t think so.  Instead create packages that are filled with valuable incentives and extras that your clients will really love.  Just make sure that these extras don’t mean more of your time.

Not sure how to package, price and promote your services so that they are focused on the right stuff? Contact me to find out how we can work together and in as little as 4 hours have packages developed that will have your clients gladly paying for your services.  Give me a call at 978-794-4991 or  drop me an email at Maureen@daretobephenomenal.com and I will gladly send you an information packet.

Those who know me well know that I don’t buy a lot of Christmas gifts.  Instead I prefer to have friends and family to my home and to spend an evening laughing, sharing, and honoring the people that mean the most to me. Gift giving is wonderful and I certainly love to receive, but gifts from the heart are the ones that matter the most to me.  Here is my favorite list of gifts that you can give this Christmas that won’t cost a dime but will certainly fill your soul!

The Gift of Listening ~ When you engage in the task of listening… truly listening, you are connecting with that other person in a way that lets them know how much they matter to you. While you sit there intently listening; not daydreaming, planning or interrupting, you are connecting at a deep place where two souls join together for the betterment of each other. As the listener you gain something too; the deep fulfillment of lending yourself to another in friendship and love.

The Gift of Laughter ~ “Laughter is the best medicine” is how the quote is known and I couldn’t agree more. Nothing makes me feel better than to share a good laugh with a friend. It lifts my spirits and the other person’s too. Share a joke, funny story, or a cartoon and share the gift of laughter with others.

The Gift of Kindness ~ I realized the other day that it is just as easy to be kind to someone as it is to be nasty…almost easier because one leaves you feeling good about yourself while the other leaves you feeling empty. Be kind to others by sharing simple gestures of yourself. This could be opening a door for someone, being a good driver on the road ways, sharing a kind word or a simple smile. Watch how these gestures of kindness fill you up and help you be a better person.

The Gift of Affection ~ Nothing feels better than a hug! I love to give hugs and I love to get them. And I love to pair it with a kiss on the cheek too! Maybe it’s the Italian in me, I’m not quite sure. But what I am sure about is how much those little gestures of affection let me express to my family and friends how much they mean to me.

The Gift of Service ~ I believe that we are on this earth to be of service to others. Giving of your time and talents to the benefit of someone else is the most wonderful gift you can ever give. Service comes in many forms but can include giving blood to help save a life, feeding the hungry, volunteering for a local charity, helping an elderly neighbor with household chores. The list is endless.  But one thing is certain, helping others fills the heart and soul in ways that nothing else can.

The Gift of Solitude ~ Sometimes we need to be alone. Maybe we need time to sort through a problem or time to reenergize ourselves. Others need this time as well. This Christmas learn to respect other people’s need and give the gift of solitude by leaving them the time they need to be alone.

The Gift of Courage ~ This gift allows you to be courageous, to speak your truth always and to stand in your power as a person. Give this gift to yourself. Be honest with yourself about what you want and don’t want in your life. Take good care of yourself…this is not about being selfish. It’s about taking time to care for you!

The Gift of Appreciation ~  Mother Theresa said “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” Take a moment to think about your family and friends. Make a list of all the things that you appreciate about them.  Keep this list in a safe place, maybe in your journal or with your will. Just imagine what this gift of appreciation will mean to people after you’ve gone. Your last words to them will be a heartfelt treasure they will never forget. You will show clearly how you recognized, admired and valued their unique qualities. You will acknowledge with gratitude what they meant to you.

This gift of appreciation will be the memory of your heart and will live on. This Christmas don’t delay in giving the Gift of Appreciation. Share your feelings this holiday with the ones you love.

May this Christmas Season fill your home with Joy, your heart with Love, and your life with Peace.

Lots and lots of people are talking about setting goals and making the most of 2010…including me!  But don’t let all the talk of goal setting throw you off track from what is really important about this process.  It’s about making sure that you are doing the right things at the right time and in the right order.  It’s about being as productive as you can be with your time, talent and energy!  Here are seven “must implement right away strategies” so that you can stop feeling exhausted and start moving your business forward!

Throw Away The Old To Do List

You heard me right!  Get rid of the old to do list because it’s missing a critical element – an end time.  Simple fix isn’t it?  The problem and the solution are simple.  Most entrepreneur to-do-lists have the start time but no end time built into them.  By scheduling in the due date or end time it helps you get focused and completing the project by that specified date.  Without it, it can stay on that list and never get crossed off and that my friends is just plain inefficient.

Create A Schedule and Stick to It

I keep a schedule and I rarely let anything bump the time that I have allocated in my schedule for things that MUST happen like writing, creating new programs and services and marketing tasks.  So here is what you must do:  create a schedule and purposefully plan out your top priorities for the day and then don’t allow anything to come between you and your schedule.

This schedule should include things that you must do each day until you have established a routine and even then I wouldn’t take it off your schedule.  I schedule everything this way I don’t miss anything important.  My schedule is tied to my 90 goals that I have established and these two systems allow me to accomplish a great deal each day, month, quarter and year.

Whatever system you develop make sure that it works for you and allows to continually move your business forward.

Time:  Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone

Time is something that once it’s gone you can’t get it back.  That’s why it is so important to always be conscientious with your time and how you spend it.  For those moments when you have not scheduled your time according to your plan ask yourself this question:  What is the most effective use of my time right now? Think about it and then use your time wisely knowing that you are using your time effectively, efficiently and on the tasks that are guaranteed to reach your goals.

Post Your Goals

I have my three year plan posted right in front of my desk where I can always refer to it!  It is a constant reminder to me of why I am doing what I am doing and great a great motivator!  Additionally, I have my vision board where I can see all the things that I am working towards…the new car, the beach front property, etc.  Seeing the reason behind doing what you’re doing is a great subconscious motivator for you to get the job done so you can proudly say, “I reached my goal.”

How Much Are You Worth?

Do you know the answer to that question?  If not I suggest you do the following exercise.  If you want to make $50,000 next year and assuming you will work 8 hours each day, then you know that each hour you work has a value of $25.61 and every minute is worth $0.427. Double it if you want to make $100,000 next year.  The reverse if that for every hour that you waste and let’s say you waste one hour a day each week you are losing $6,658.60 on a $50,000 income and double that on a $100,000 income.  My point:  wasted, unfocused time is a loss of revenue…and a big one at that.

Delegate and Follow Up

There are some tasks that I really hate doing and then there are tasks that I like to do but understand is not a good use of my time.  Whether its tasks you hate or ones you love remember that delegating is an effective tool and strategy when trying to make the most of the time that YOU have.

But along with effective delegation is also the responsibility to follow up and not leave issues hanging out there with no resolution.  Make sure you check in to make sure things stay on track and according to schedule.

Celebrate Your Success

Each time I reach a goal and complete a project I do a little celebration dance!  I know it sounds corny and who knows what I look like when I do my “dance of joy”, but I love to celebrate my wins and success and you should too.  Find a system that feels right for you even if it simply jotting down on paper in a journal.

Keeping on track and focused can be a daunting task if you don’t have a system.  Follow these simple tips here to make it simple and easy.   And remember, time cannot be replaced.  Once it’s gone, it’s gone so use it wisely.

I recently had a consultation with a women business owner who wanted to move her business from frustrating 5-figures and into the 6-figure mark.  She was pretty clear in her money goal and seemed very determined to make it happen. I had to ask myself…

Is it Doable?

Absolutely!

Is it doable with the plan she had?

Absolutely not.

So many business owners create good solid goals and then take haphazard action, constantly led astray by another bright idea or strategy that someone dangles in front of them.  Or possibly they sit back and think that by “using” the Law of Attraction it will miraculously be delivered to them…plop right into their lap.

Here is the truth:

You must take the RIGHT action in the RIGHT way at the RIGHT time while keeping a clear and positive mindset about what you want to achieve.  This combination will catapult you forward to your goals and nothing else!

Sound tough?  Well imagine having to go and work for someone else again in a JOB…ugh the very thought makes me cringe!  You have already invested time, resources and your sanity to making your business work.  So how do you make it happen and stick to the plan you developed?

My Coaches Request:

1.  Sit down and revisit your goals for 2010. Haven’t developed any?  Well get cracking on that task.  Review the questions below.  Your answers will help you create your goals for 2010.

• What’s working in my business?
• What’s not?
• What action(s) would take me closer to my commitments in the next 90 days?
• What opportunities exist right now?
• What new strategy(ies) could I implement so I can reach these goals?

2.  Determine if your goals are realistic given where you are currently and your action steps. For example, consider how you plan on bringing in revenue for the year, what program, services, or products are you launching in 2010 and what marketing strategies are you planning on implementing in the year?

3.  Next revise your goals or the plan to achieve them or maybe both so that they are in total alignment with your vision…oh, and make sure they are doable. I like to tell my clients that when developing goals you need to feel the friction between too hard and too easy…that place in between.  When you find it, that is where your goal should be.

4.  Take action right now!

Want to make sure that you are formulating the RIGHT goals, at the RIGHT time, in the RIGHT order?  Call me at 978-794-4991 or email me at maureen@daretobephenomenal.com for a strategy session to see if I can help you formulate the right plan!  It’s a simple, easy and cost effective way to make sure you are on the right track!

I have been away for over a week.  My last post was Thanksgiving.  Last week was a crazy week because of the Holiday Extravaganza!  It was a huge success and I have to admit for my first attempt went pretty well.  I learned an increadible amount about how to run a successful event and what not to do the next time around.

It got me thinking that this is what happens in your business.  You make a decision; it either turns out as you planned or not and then you learn from your mistakes.  But it does not have to be that way!  Working with a mentor coach can help you take months and years off growing your business because they have already been there and done that; they have made the mistakes, had the heartbreaks and failures and already know what NOT to do next time around.

2009 is fast coming to a close.  Do you want to catapult your business to success next year? Is 2010 going to be your year or will you be kicking yourself at the end of it wishing you had worked with a coach who has already made the mistakes and wanted to teach you the right things to do?

If you want 2010 to be your year contact me at maureen@daretobephenomenal.com to learn about all the new and exciting programs that will be available in 2010.  Look forward to helping you grow your business!