Category Archives: personal power
Can you see it? Can you NOT?
When you look at that garbanzo bean, ask yourself: Does it or does it not resemble a tiny human butt? Many people would honestly say they’ve thought that for years. Many others would honestly say they’d never noticed the similarity … Continue reading
The very best kind of name calling
How would you feel if someone called you “unapologetically courageous”? If you have a hard time imagining that, I’m right there with you. Or at least I was there right with you until this past Monday. That’s when I had … Continue reading
Say it like you mean it.
For as much time as the typical entrepreneur spends on refining the words of her marketing messages, I wonder if she puts the same care into how she says those words when she’s interacting with people face to face. … Continue reading
How to take back your power
There are a lot of ways to surrender your power. Adopt a victim mentality by falling prey to what Dr. Martin Seligman calls learned helplessness… Use power-robbing language (for example, I can’t, If only, Why me?, I wish)… Allow others … Continue reading
When life interferes with business: 3 lessons learned
Have you ever felt like you’ve been staggering along under a huge burden? You know, the kind of weight that leaves you feeling bereft of energy, creativity, and joy? Been there, done that, got a whole bunch of … Continue reading
“Hope” is not a success strategy, but this is.
Last year, I applied to be a speaker and behind-the-scenes crew member at an international conference. Since I’d already spoken at another conference held by the same organization, I was feeling confident – maybe even a bit smug – about … Continue reading
What’s the worst that can happen?
The other day, Joseph (my hubby) went in to purchase an amp for his electric guitar. While he was willing to spend the money on it, he naturally wanted to get as good a deal as possible. So when … Continue reading
Are you still waiting to get lucky? Knock it off!
A couple of weeks ago we began exploring what makes for “lucky” entrepreneurs. It’s time to finish the job by delving into other characteristics that make people look lucky when what they really are is focused, committed, and courageous. … Continue reading
Do you share these traits with the world’s luckiest entrepreneurs?
According to Dictionary.com, luck is defined as “good fortune; advantage or success, considered as the result of chance; a combination of circumstances, events, etc., operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person”, while lucky is defined … Continue reading
Sand or stone: Where do you draw the line?
A boundary, as defined by Dictionary.com, is “something that indicates bounds or limits.” While some people may choose to view boundaries as something that can restrict their progress, other – perhaps wiser – people view boundaries as something to … Continue reading
Puny or powerful – what’s YOUR default setting?
Back in the old days, some comic book ads were directed toward the skinny “98-pound weakling”. This was a scrawny guy laughed at by girls and bullied by stronger guys until he took the advertiser’s magic product and developed … Continue reading
Mind-reading made easy
You’ve gotta give a lot of parents “A” for “effort”, because they do their very best to keep their kids safe and free from emotional or physical harm. Unfortunately, some of us, as a result of our well-intentioned parents, … Continue reading
Do you encourage others but ignore yourself?
How many times have you read a fellow entrepreneur’s story and thought, “Now there’s someone who’s really successful”? How often do you downplay your own accomplishments? When was the last time you turned away a compliment? If you answered … Continue reading
Don’t let them kid you: Knowledge is NOT power!
Okay, so you’ve taken purposeful steps to identify what you and others see as your key strengths. So what? Remember: Knowledge is not power. Applied knowledge is power. That means your next step is to figure out a compelling … Continue reading
What makes YOU powerful?
I hope that, if you’ve been in the habit of thinking that power comes in only one form or is a Bad Thing, you’ve started to re-consider. That will enable you to think about just how you can use … Continue reading
Is “power” a four-letter word for you?
What do you picture when someone says the word “power”? Do you think of it in terms of physical strength? Great intelligence? Lots of money? Does “power” have very positive connotations for you, or do you … Continue reading
5 steps to saying “no” without guilt
For far too many entrepreneurs, especially women, “no” is a four-letter word: rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. What’s with that? Helping others and making a difference are two of the reasons many entrepreneurs start their businesses to begin with. That … Continue reading
How do you prefer your discomfort?
Only the masochists among us are truly into discomfort, but all of us experience it sooner or later. When it comes to doing those important-but-uncomfortable activities that lurk in Quadrant II, here’s a question worth asking: Do you prefer your … Continue reading
Are you playing to win or playing not to lose?
Successful entrepreneurs know there’s a big difference between playing to win and playing not to lose. I reluctantly admit that in years past I became quite familiar with what playing not to lose looks like. Fortunately, those experiences now serve … Continue reading
Just how big a liar are you?
Mindset. It’s a term that may be tossed around all over the place, but that doesn’t mean it’s not crucial to your success—or failure. How you think and talk to yourself can propel you forward or keep you mired … Continue reading
Keepin’ the faith: three steps to staying energized and motivated
Instant gratification. It’s hard not to expect it. Have a tough question you need answered? Instead of going to a library to search through books, you can use Google to research it and get back millions of hits in a … Continue reading
Five strategies to grow yourself big and bold
If you read last Thursday’s post, you noticed it was just a bit on the gloom-and-doom side. That’s because I pointed out some ways that even talented entrepreneurs can sabotage their own success. I realize that, if you’re like many … Continue reading
Three ways to baby-step your way to brave
Anyone who looks like they’re fearless is a great actor. Everyone is afraid of something: snakes, clowns, cats… This doesn’t even begin to consider one of the biggies—fear of public speaking. But one of the most powerful habits of successful … Continue reading
What are YOUR clubhouse rules?
Back in the old days, children would create clubhouses for themselves and their special friends. Membership was by invitation only, and—depending on who “owned” the clubhouse—highly coveted. In a way, things are not that different today for adults who have … Continue reading
Are you willing to claim your power and let your light shine?
One of the most compelling and empowering writings I’ve ever encountered is called “A Return to Love.” While often attributed to the late Nelson Mandela, it was really Marianne Williamson, author of A Course in Miracles, who first challenged us … Continue reading
Are you making yourself a victim with these 7 power-robbing phrases?
Wow – another year has flown by. Happy New Year to all! I wrapped up 2013 talking about how every self-fulfilling prophecy can work for or against you, and about how distorted thinking is a dangerously effective way to sabotage … Continue reading
Take responsibility for your success, but don’t go overboard.
One of the key lessons parents teach their children is what it means to take responsibility. The type of responsibility taught undoubtedly varies from family to family, but, unfortunately, there are some counterproductive views of responsibility that cross all kinds … Continue reading
Through a glass darkly: the dangers of faulty perception
One of the stories that was told in my family as far back as I can remember is that I was the child with “the good brain.” (My older sisters were dubbed “the no-nonsense one” and “the sensitive one.”) Needless … Continue reading
How do you define success and failure?
There are many ways to be your own worst enemy. One common way is to fall prey to counterproductive thinking in which your definitions of circumstances and situations steal away your energy and personal power. Here are some distorted definitions … Continue reading
Are you prepared for success or failure? Think about it!
Your greatest business ally and your worst business enemy are two sides of the same coin. That coin is your habitual way of thinking. As Sally Kempton once said, “It’s hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your … Continue reading
How to Use Personal Storytelling as a Powerful Business Development Tool
You’re the chief storyteller of your life. Do your stories build your self-confidence and personal power, or tear them down? Continue reading
How to fail your way to success
While rarely fatal, failure IS often painful. How can you encourage yourself to deal with the pain so you earn the future payoff of improved results? Continue reading
Are you sacrificing results just so you can stay in your comfort zone?
It’s been said that the purpose of the ego is to save us from anticipated future pain. I can totally see this being true, and it makes me wonder: Just how much have all of us sacrificed by allowing our … Continue reading
Don’t worry. Be happy. Make money.
Research indicates that happiness is one of the critical success factors for entrepreneurs, and that happy people make more money than unhappy ones. Continue reading
Is it time for a mental makeover?
How do you let go of harsh, unrealistic judgments of yourself? Start here. Continue reading
How women “just do it”
See if this explanation of how many women develop low self esteem rings any bells for you. Continue reading
Here’s a scary thought: Are you your own worst enemy because of bad habits?
By doing a task (or thinking a thought) over and over again, it becomes ingrained in your very being. That’s both the joy and the curse of habits. Continue reading
How to change fear and inaction to excitement and progress with one simple phrase
One phrase can make the difference between mediocrity and rock-stardom. How will you choose to use it? Continue reading
Are you using “Why?” as a whip or a compass?
Do you know the one question that can stop you in your tracks AND propel you forward, depending on how you ask it? Continue reading
Don’t blame yourself, but…it IS your fault.
Okay, maybe that’s not fair. Unsuccessful entrepreneurs often confuse and misuse the concepts of blame, fault, and responsibility. Successful ones are clear on the differences. Blame and fault-finding are often the default reactions of someone coming from a position of … Continue reading
Warning! Your “practical reasons” are often nothing more than excuses for playing small.
Are you kidding yourself that you’re logical when really you’re scared? It’s okay if you are. It’s just time to do something about it – NOW. Continue reading
Five crucial business lessons from the movie “Up”
If you thought the Pixar animated movie Up was strictly a children’s film, think again. In reality, it’s a cleverly disguised business-building primer. Here are five of its key lessons that every successful entrepreneurs should learn and apply. 1. Think … Continue reading
How trying to improve on your weaknesses actually robs you of strength
Build on your strengths. It’ll pay off bigger than trying to fix your weaknesses. Continue reading
Would you rather be comfortable or prosperous?
Jeff Olson, in his book The Slight Edge, observed that “Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do.” In other words, unsuccessful people value their short-term comfort more than their long-term results. This seems to be a … Continue reading
What hunger games drive YOU?
What are you so hungry for that you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it? Learn some ways to make sure you’ve discovered your true, compelling reason why you’re in business. Continue reading
“What If…?”: A Powerful Tool for Thinking Big and Achieving Goals
If you’re serious about achieving goals and experiencing serious business growth, you get to let go of fearful “What if?” thinking and start developing action plans based on powerful, creative “What if?” thinking. Learn how! Continue reading
The way you dry your toes can predict your success in business.
I find it just fascinating how so many business lessons can be learned from seemingly mundane activities – if you’re willing to pay attention. Unfortunately, I don’t always pay attention if the Universe tries to subtly teach me something; a … Continue reading
Are you choosing to stay stuck?
When you’ve hit rock bottom and feel as helpless as a turtle on its back, try one of these five strategies for getting unstuck. Continue reading
Five Steps to Making Discomfort Your Friend and Ally
Comfort is not all it’s cracked up to be. It keeps you small and often scared. Apply the following tactics to push past discomfort and start playing a bigger game. Continue reading
Runnin’ on Empty: The Importance of Re-charging
I’ve been feeling stressed lately and have had a hard time figuring out what was up. After a certain amount of whining, pondering, and ingesting mass quantities of chocolate, I realized I’ve been pushing too hard. Does any of this … Continue reading
Which sounds better: a mid-life crisis or a mid-life blooming?
I vote for blooming. I’m not totally thrilled about being in mid-life to begin with. I’m too damn young to have knee pain and this much grey hair (even though my stylist calls it “platinum”). I’m really not okay with … Continue reading
Can implementing great ideas boost your endorphins?
I’ve got a nice little natural buzz going. I’m working with an accountability buddy as part of a year-long coaching program I signed up for. Deb and I check in with each other every single day; the goal is for … Continue reading
