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Stop Procrastinating and Take Action Now!

Why do you procrastinate? What is your definition of procrastination? My definition of procrastination is making up excuses not to finish something.

We are a country that loves instant. We have instant oatmeal, instant coffee, and hot water on demand. So when it is time to sit down and work on something we often don’t have the patience to do it. We would rather be off doing something fun or working on something that is easy.  We always put off what we don’t want to do. We procrastinate.

There are three main steps to stopping procrastination.

1. Self reflect . Take time to really examine why you are procrastinating. Is it because you don’t like the task? Is it because you don’t know what to do? Is it because you are afraid of failure or success? Are you afraid of rejection?

2. Confront Your Fear. Fear can paralyze you or propel you to take action. Let your fear propel you to take action. Stand up to fear.

3. Make a Plan. We often don’t complete something because we don’t know what to do or the project or task seems very overwhelming. You need to make time to design a system so you know how to complete your task. Visualize yourself completing the task. Walk yourself through all the necessary steps and all the possibilities that may occur and design a system.

When you take time to self reflect, confront your fear and design a plan you will be able to curtail your procrastinating ways and become the person that makes things happen. So make it your personal mantra when you look in the mirror Stop Procrastinating and Take Action Now!

 

Don't make me take off my shoes and beat you!

 

STOP TALKING AND START DOING! Coach Jaynine is a business coach who gets people to take action. She will get you to move from talking about what you want to do – to doing what you want to do. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to take action, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810.

 

Why are you procrastinating?

Why are you procrastinating? Why are you making excuses? Why are you never completing anything? Why are you putting off until tomorrow what can be done today? Do any of these phrases sound familiar?  

We all procrastinate at one time or another. We all are guilty of letting our family and friends sabotage our efforts.  We often allow this to happen because we do not want to hurt their feelings. We also allow this to happen because it is easier to allow them to lead us astray then to focus on getting the task accomplished.

Next time your family or friends interrupt you during your business hours asking for a favor remind them that you are at work. If you were not your own boss would they expect you to leave work and risk being fired to have lunch, run an errand or chat on the phone? Probably not, so why are they asking you now knowing that you need to run your business so it makes a profit and not run it into the ground.

Next time you have well-meaning family and friends offering their suggestions on how you should run your business you need to find your backbone and ask them where they learned that particular piece of unsolicited advice. You may be surprised that it is just their opinion. If they do not have the formal training in the area they are advising it is better to seek out an expert than someone that is not the expert in that area. You would not see a dentist about a heart murmur so why take unsolicited business advice from a nonprofessional. Their opinion is just that – their opinion.

We also must look in the mirror and realize we are our own worst enemy at times. We sabotage ourselves and put the blame on family, friends and household pets. If you know you are procrastinating you need to figure out why.

Do you procrastinate because of…?

1. Fear of failure or success

2. Fear of rejection

3. Lack of knowledge on how to proceed

4. You don’t like the task

5. Lack of time

Once you understand why you are procrastinating you can design a plan of action. If you are afraid of failure or rejection, just grab the bull by the horns and complete the task to the best of your ability.  Design a step-by-step system on how to complete the task. If you do not have the required knowledge seek out the guidance of a professional or a coach. Together you can work on completing the task.  If you do not like to perform the task or do not have the time to complete it consider hiring someone to complete the task.

Once the task is completed or delegated, you will feel a sense of accomplishment. You will be growing personally and a professionally. So, stop procrastinating. Stop talking and start doing. Take Action.

 

Don't make me take off my shoes and beat you!

 

STOP TALKING AND START DOING! Coach Jaynine is a business coach who gets people to take action. She will get you to move from talking about what you want to do – to doing what you want to do. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to take action, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810.

 

You Snooze You Lose: Don’t let fear stop you!

Is procrastination holding you back from turning your dreams into reality? I often hear people tell me what they want to do. However, rarely do I see them do anything to make that dream a reality.

What I do see is that person’s idea for a business now belongs to someone else. When you snooze, you lose. If you have a great idea for a product or business, I encourage you to stop procrastinating and take action. If you don’t know what to do with your idea I highly suggest you speak with someone at your local Small Business Center at your local Community College, visit the library, search the internet, and invest in a business coach.  Don’t let fear of the unknown keep you from turning your dreams into reality.

 Ask yourself some very pointed questions.

1. Why am I procrastinating?

2. Do I really believe in my idea?

3. What should I do now?

When you are certain that you want to claim your idea as your own you need to do a few things immediately:

1. Secure your domain name and its variations

2. Register and/or Trademark the name and logo

3. Invest in YOU and your business.

Investing in you and your business will require a great deal of work. You will want to tap into your community resources to make sure you learn about your local licensing requirements and any necessary zoning restrictions. You will also need to invest in learning how to run a business. If you do not have the business basics such as a business plan, mission statement, EIN, register as a female, veteran owned, or minority business, or a business bank account to name just a few of the items you will often be seen as someone who has a hobby and you will not have a business mindset.

In order to operate a successful business you must stop procrastinating and adopt a business mindset. If you keep procrastinating, you will soon see your great idea belonging to someone else and you will have missed the boat. The choice is yours. Stop procrastinating and take action or snooze and lose.

 

Don't make me take off my shoes and beat you!

 

STOP TALKING AND START DOING! Coach Jaynine is a business coach who gets people to take action. She will get you to move from talking about what you want to do – to doing what you want to do. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to take action, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810.

 

Follow up: A Necessary Step in Customer Service

I received an email today from one of my favorite jewelry stores. They stated that a catalog they had sent me had been returned to them. The company representative asked me if I was still interested in their product.  They requested that if I was and had moved would I please provide them my new mailing address so they could update their records. Imagine how important I felt to know that someone had taken the time to send me an email and ask if I was still interested in their product. I was very impressed.

When was the last time you contacted clients or customers you have not heard from or seen in a while? Every year on my birthday and on the anniversary of when I bought my car and my sons’ truck, I receive a phone call from the car dealer. He does not try to sell me anything. He just asks me how the vehicle is doing and he asks if there is anything, he can do. It is just a short phone call. But, a nice one that I now welcome every year since I know there isn’t a heavy sales pitch. Guess what, when someone I know wants to buy a car guess whom I am going to recommend; my local Ford dealer.

Following up with clients or past clients is necessary to continue to grow your business. You also must follow up with prospective clients. Do you attend networking events then never contact anyone you met? I recently attended a networking event and did not hear from anyone until I made the first contact.

Following up does not have to be a heavy-handed sales pitch. If the person is a new acquaintance, the follow up email or phone call is a way to continue to establish rapport and build the relationship with the person. If you are following up with a client or previous customer, it is a way to offer great customer service.

Earlier in the year, I received horrible service at a salon. I refused to go back even though I still was owed over a thousand dollars in services. A few months ago, I purchased some “super foods” which I absolutely cannot stomach to ingest. However, I do believe in the power and value of them. The sales representative asked me if I liked them and I told her I could not stomach taking them due to the smell of the product. She commented I could return them but quickly changed the conversation. I have not heard from her since. This would have been a great opportunity for her to offer new recipes or ideas on how to use the product. I really wanted to benefit from the products but they now sit in the cupboard. She has now lost me as a client. These are two examples of businesses that lost future revenue because they did not follow up with me to ensure I was satisfied and happy.

Following up with customers and clients is a necessary step in customer service. It makes customers feel valued and ensures loyalty. It lets them know you remember who they are and that they were not just a quick sale. I think people want to stay loyal to one cosmetic representative, super food representative or other professional service.

If you do not have a follow up system, I encourage you to design one today. For current or previous clients you could contact them on the anniversary of their big purchase or on their birthday.  Ask if you have their current information and if there is anything you can do for them. You could also send out a free survey using http://www.surveymonkey.com/ to solicit their opinion on the service they received or how they like the product they purchased. If you met someone at a networking event or professional function you could have an email already drafted that you send the next day inviting the person to go to lunch or coffee so you can further develop the relationship.

Remember, word of mouth advertising can be good or bad. When you follow up with your previous or current clients or potential clients, you will be fresh in their mind when they recommend a service to their friends. They will also feel valued. You will also know if they were satisfied with their service or product. Following up is a necessary part of your customer service system.

 

STOP TALKING AND START DOING! Coach Jaynine is a business coach who gets people to take action. She will get you to move from talking about what you want to do – to doing what you want to do. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to take action, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810. You can receive her FREE ecourse Networking Detox: My 5 Secrets to Networking Success at www.coachjaynine.com

Stop Making Excuses, Confront Your Fear and Take Action

Fear and anxiety can sabotage you when you least expect it. You may not even realize that fear and anxiety are holding you back. You think you want something but then you don’t pursue it. You find yourself making excuses on why you are not finishing the task or project. We can sit all day long at our computers and tweak a website, sales copy, or proposal for a client but never actually complete the task. We say we are not finished with it because it is not perfect. We make excuses on why it isn’t finished. Now is the time to stop making excuses and take action.

When working with clients I often see them having great ideas that they never bring to fruition. They are afraid of failure. We have become a society that rewards good behavior and performance and we ridicule those who do not perform well. This learned behavior does not help the small business owner become successful.

The small business owner must be willing to take a risk. He or she must complete tasks and quit striving for perfection. He or she must stay focused on the desired outcome. Many small business owners do not like to follow up with prospective clients because of the fear of rejection. People often become small business owners not realizing that he or she will need to learn to sell his or her own product or service. Fear of rejection and fear of selling keep the business owner from growing his or her own business.

As a small business owner, you must do some self-reflection. Ask yourself why you are not finishing projects. Why are you not following up on leads from networking events? Why are you not asking people to purchase your product or service? What are you afraid of? Are you afraid they will say “no”? Are you afraid the person will hang up the phone on you? I doubt anyone has actually died from embarrassment so I challenge you to pick one thing that you keep putting off and finish it.

If your unfinished task is following up with prospective clients I challenge you design a script that you can read when calling or emailing prospective clients. You must know your intended outcome from the conversation and design your follow up system.

If you are procrastinating on completing a project, break the project into manageable chunks and design a schedule on when you will finish each item.

Stop trying to predict the future. Design a plan for success. Envision your business running smoothly and design the necessary systems and procedures needed so you can turn your dreams into reality. Next, hold yourself accountable for your actions. Take responsibility for your lack of action.  Confide in your coach so he or she can hold you accountable and challenge you so you can turn your dreams into reality.

Don’t make me take off my shoes and beat you!

 

STOP TALKING AND START DOING! Coach Jaynine is a business coach who gets people to take action. She will get you to move from talking about what you want to do- to doing what you want to do. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to take action, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810.

Twitter Tip Thursday – Jott

Jott

http://jott.com/jott/jott-links.html

Post your Twitter updates with your voice and a simple phone call.

How does it work? With Jott Assistant and Jott for Salesforce, you just call a simple phone number, speak your notes, messages, or updates and hang up. Jott Voicemail works the same way, but your friends, family, and colleagues are the ones leaving the messages when they call your number. Then, Jott takes the spoken messages, turns them into text, and sends them to the right destination via email, text message, or web update.

I have NOT used this service.

Are you networking or wasting your time?

I have written on this topic before but it is time to revisit it. We all love going to events. However, honestly, they all cost money. Even if there is no initial cost of attending an event you still will probably be required to purchase a meal or at a minimum a beverage at the event. There are also hidden costs associated with attending networking events. You will be spending your time in the car commuting and while at the event. Your time is a very precious resource. You will also be spending money on gas to get you to and from the event. Do not forget you may also catch yourself wanting to splurge on a new outfit or visiting your favorite hair or nail salon prior to the event.

Now, I am not saying do not attend events but I am going to tell you to be selective. If your target niche is not going to attend then why are you going to go? Do not say that everyone is your target niche. We all know that not everyone is our ideal client. I think it is very appropriate to call the organizer of the event and ask the demographics of the attendees. Evaluate the event with the same scrutiny you would use when evaluate where to spend your marketing dollars. After all, you will be there marketing you and your business.

After you have attended the event, do not let the contacts you made fade away. You will want to have a system in place for following up with the people you met. You may want to send them a hand written note or an email letting them know you enjoyed meeting them at the event. I often hear my clients complain that they attended events and met great people but no one followed up with them. This is because the other person did not know how to effectively network.

Networking effectively requires that you have a plan to evaluate what networking events are for you. You must have a system in place to follow up with people you met at the events. You can learn how to networking effectively by completing my free ecourse My 5 Secrets to Networking Success.

 

STOP TALKING AND START DOING! Coach Jaynine is a business coach who gets people to take action. She will get you to move from talking about what you want to do- to doing what you want to do. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to take action, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810. You can sign up for Networking Detox: My 5 Secrets to Networking Success at www.coachjaynine.com.

 

Are you establishing rapport or hurting your business success?

Recently, I had a client call and tell me about her experience on the telephone with someone she had looked forward to hiring. My client called a business owner to inquire about her services. The business owner in her attempt to establish rapport ended up losing the sale. The business owner talked excessively about her hobbies. She talked about how she loved to be outside instead of stuck indoors. Her remarks made my client question her commit to her business and the quality of services she would be providing. Another example of a rapport building blunder was when someone told me about her “Girls Gone Wild” weekend and made it sound like it was a regular part of her week. It left me wondering why in the world I would trust her with my personal or financial information.

Have you made a similar blunder when attempting to establish rapport? We all learn that people do business with those they know, like, trust and see as the expert. Take a moment to think about your past conversations. How may the listener have perceived what you were saying? Are you giving away too much personal information? Does the topic of conversation present you in a favorable light? Does the topic discussed present you as an enterprising person or a Negative Nelly? Were you smiling during the conversation or were you tired and grouchy? Could the listener hear the enthusiasm in your voice over the telephone or did you come across as unknowledgeable or disinterested?

Establishing rapport is key to business success. You must:

1. Active Listening: You must actively listen to what the caller is asking. Answer the callers’ questions concisely and confidently. If you do not know the answer just say you do not know.

2. Be prepared: Be prepared to answer any questions the caller may have and provide a written proposal or contract and references to the caller. Do not act like sending a written proposal or a contract is a foreign concept. It will make you look like you do not take your business seriously.

3. Do not be pushy or nosy: Do not be overly aggressive and ask for a credit card payment within the first few minutes of establishing rapport. This scares off potential clients. Also, do not sound or act offended when the potential client states they must discuss your proposal with their business partners. Do not sound amazed or shocked that they are a business with business partners. You must relay to the potential client that you respect their need to review the documents with their business partners or Board of Directors. I do encourage you to set an expiration date in your proposal or contract when sending one so that someone does not wait a year or two and expect the same fee for the product or service.

4. Follow up: Follow up after the phone call with the potential client. Ensure that they received the contract or materials they requested. Ask to clarify any questions they may have. Do not lose the sale because you assumed they received the information when in fact it was eaten by the email gremlins or lost in the mail.

5. Learn from Your Mistakes: Learn from your blunders. Take time to self reflect after a phone conversation with potential clients and think about what went well during the conversation and what you think you may need to improve upon next time. Use step 4 above to clarify anything you think you could have explained better during the phone conversation. Embrace each conversation as a learning experience.

Falling in love with selling over the telephone is not easy for everyone. Establishing rapport sounds easy to do but often it is not. If you do not know the caller extremely well and cannot see them to view their body language, you may not know you are steering the conversation down a slippery slope. Using my five tips above will help you ensure that you are successful at establishing rapport with new clients. When you master rapport building you will grow your business.

Twitter Tip Thursday –

Twittercal

http://twittercal.com/

Twittercal allows you to post  an event to your Google Calendar. You must follow gcal which you can do at the above link. After that you can send a direct message to gcal with your event details and it will post to your Google Calendar.

Happy Tweeting!

Learn to feel satisfied and bring a project to fruition: Stop being a butterfly.

Are you like a butterfly? Starting one task and then before it is completed you are flying off to start another task? Is your mind buzzing with new ideas and projects? Yet, you have a pile of unfinished projects?

We all the love the feeling we get when we get a new idea or inspiration. However, when was the last time you felt satisfaction in bringing a project to fruition? My five tips below will provide you the feeling of satisfaction of bringing a project to fruition.

1. Know Yourself. What time of day do you perform at your best? Are you a morning person? Are you a night owl? When you know when you perform at your best or are most creative you will be able to plan your schedule accordingly to use your most precious resource wisely; YOU!

2. Examine Your Environment. Who is sabotaging your efforts? Is it you? Is it fear? Is it your belief system? Is it family, friends, coworkers, or the office mascot? You must identify who is sabotaging your efforts and why. Do you not like working on the project? What does completing the project symbolize? Do your family and friends not respect your boundaries? Do family and friends not realize you are busy working? Let them know your office hours and ask them to respect your office hours and the need to get your project completed. Examine your belief system. Do you feel you are not supposed to be successful? Do you feel guilty charging customers and clients because you are doing what you love? Do you fear success? Take time to examine your environment and identify who is sabotaging your success.

3. Focus. Designate a time to complete or work on the project. Set an appointment with yourself if you must. Put the project in your day planner. Turn off all distractions before you begin your project. This can be the television, radio, cell phone, or telephone. You may want to post a note on your front door or office door that says “In Conference – Do NOT Disturb”.

4. Time Your Self. Just as a lawyer, doctor, dentist or other professional allows a certain amount of time for an appointment you need to do that also. Estimate how long the project or task will take or how long you will work on it during your allotted time. Set a timer and see how much you accomplish before the timer buzzes. After the timer goes off reward yourself with a small break. This will also clear your mind and eliminate tension in your body. If the task is not completed, schedule in your day planner another appointment for working on the project. This will ensure you do not get burned out or forget to return to the task or project.

5. Reward Your Self. It is hard work being the boss or being a solopreneur. There is no one around to give you a pat on the back or say “Great Job”. You need to recognize your accomplishments and reward yourself. The reward does not have to cost a lot of money. It may be as simple as taking a walk around the block to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. It may be going to lunch with friends or buying yourself some fresh flowers for your office. Record your accomplishments in a journal so that you can self reflect at a later date and time. Use positive self-talk to remind yourself how great you truly are.

You are your most precious resource. You must respect and honor your time. You must finish your projects or eliminate the ones that no longer bring you joy. Eliminating the clutter and having a plan will ensure that you are more productive. When you enlist my five tips, you will no longer be the social butterfly. You will be the respected and profit earning head of your business or organization. You will feel satisfaction that you have completed a project and you will ready to focus on your next moneymaking idea.

Twitter Tip Thursday – ChipIn

ChipIn

 http://www.chipin.com/

Do you need to raise funds for your soccer team, school PTA, or other cause?

ChipIn allows you to let your social networking buddies know what you need money for, how much and by when. They can chip in as much or as little as they want by using PayPal. You can also create a widget for your Facebook account to promote your ChipIn.

 Just another fun way to promote your business or event.

 Happy Tweeting!

 

Grow Your Business with a Newsletter!

Are you a Small Business Owner or Independent Contractor who is looking for a no cost or low cost way to stay in touch with clients and customers?

 Are you seeking a way to show your clients or customers that you are the expert in your niche?

 Do you want to remind your clients that you are still in business?

 Join me on August 17, 2009 at 8pm EST.

I will teach you how to grow your business with a newsletter.

I will teach you 7 key items you need to know:                 

1. Why you need to publish a newsletter
2. What to put in your newsletter
3. Where to get content for your newsletter
4. How often to publish your newsletter
5. Who should receive your newsletter
6. How to make money with a newsletter
7. How to publish your newsletter for free or very low cost

When you know the answers to these 7 questions, you will be ready to launch a successful newsletter campaign and grow your business so you are seen as the expert and make more money.

Cost:  $27.00 for non-Dynamic Coaching Club Members

           Free for Dynamic Business Owners Coaching Club Members

Location:  This is a Virtual Event. You will be able participate either using your telephone or your computer. You receive the call in details when you register. Seating is limited.

The call will be recorded and you will receive an e-Course with your registration. Therefore, do not worry about not being able to attend the call live. As always, you are encouraged to email me after the class with any questions that might come up as you design your newsletter. I will not abandon you after the class.

You can register at http://www.dreamcatcher.camp8.org/Default.aspx?pageId=288911&eventId=75887&EventViewMode=2&CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=8/30/2009

 I look forward to helping you grow your business!

Twitter Tip Thursday – StockTwits

StockTwits

http://www.stocktwits.com/

This is a great way to stay abreast of what is going on in the Stock Market. You can explore StockTwits without an account. Just visit the website above and enter your company name or ticker and see what is going on.

Happy Tweeting!

Twitter Tip Thursday – TwitPic

TwitPic

http://twitpic.com/

You can upload photos from your phone  or from the website. Go to the website and log in with your Twitter account information. How easy is that?

Have fun but remember…if you would not want your mother or grandmother to see the pics do not post them. Also, if you are job hunting think twice before you post.

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Oprah spends money on advertising/marketing: Do you?

Oprah advertises on television. She makes sure that viewers know what channel to watch her show.  Are you letting your customers and clients know how to get in touch with you?

 Advertising/marketing must be done regardless of your budget. Below are my tips for advertising/marketing your business.

 Free

Article writing

Blogging

Social Networking

Word of mouth advertising

Speaking Engagements, (you may be paid as a speaker and actually make money)

Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce Member to Member Flyers

Internet Radio interviews

Host your own radio show

Free Business Listings on various websites

New Jacksonville-Onslow County Chamber of Commerce members get a free 8-minute interview on The Talk Station or five free advertising spots.

Host a free teleseminar

Start a newsletter using a 60-day free trial and use Merchant Circle newsletter option

 Small Fee – under $100

Networking Events

Classified Ads

Advertising space in Association or Group newsletters

DIY Brochures

DIY Business cards

DIY Rack cards

(DIY projects can end up costing more money than you anticipate due to errors you make or time you are not working with clients while you are busy designing your items)

Promotional materials such as pens, pencils, postcards, magnets, coffee mugs etc.

Guerilla Marketing

Print flyers and hand them out

Newsletter

Pay for someone to write your articles

Pay for someone to manage your social networking

 Medium Fee – $101 – $500

Newspaper advertising

The Talk Station radio advertising

Brochures designed by a professional

Business cards designed by a professional

Rack cards designed by a professional

Window graphics

Movie theatre advertising dependent upon location

Promotional materials such as pens, pencils, postcards, magnets, coffee mugs etc.

Expo fees

Coffee News

Membership fee to join various Associations

Networking registration or meal fees

Money Mailer

Banner Advertising

Pay Per Click Advertising

 High Fee – $500 or higher

Advertising in National Magazines

Car wrap

Professional Website design

Movie theatre advertising dependent upon location

Expo fees

Television advertising

Billboard

Banner Advertising

Pay Per Click Advertising

Direct mail

Telemarketing

Radio Advertising

 As you can see, there are many free or low cost ways to market or advertise your business. The lists above are just a few suggestions. Do you have a marketing plan? I want you to take out a calendar and design a 90-day plan. Write down what or how you are going to do to advertise/market your business.

 I also want you to take a hard look at your finances. Be honest and realistic. How are you going to spend your money? Design a plan incorporating the suggestions above based upon your budget. Do not be embarrassed if your 90-day calendar is filled with free or low cost ways to advertise or market your business. Only you know your budget. It is better to do something than to do nothing.

 Remember, it is your responsibility to let customers and clients know you are still in business. It is not their job to track you down to see if you are still in business.

Twitter Tip Thursday – Tweet What You Eat

Tweet What You Eat

http://www.tweetwhatyoueat.com/

For those of us who are looking for a new way to track calories and your weight…here it is….Tweet What You Eat is a food and weight diary. They also have a forum section. You can view your diary on your cellphone or internet and print out a spreadsheet. Using it is very simple. Send a tweet to TWYE saying “follow twye” and you will start following TWYE and they will start following you. Then you send a D (direct message) to TWYE with what you have just eaten. Use a colon to associate food items and a comma to separate items. Happy Tweeting!

Small Business Owners Need a Board of Directors too: Who is on your team?

Are you a small business owner? Do you try to do everything yourself? Are you becoming a master of a trades and expert of none? Do you have family and friends trying to tell you how to run your business?  If you answer YES to these questions, I want you to STOP doing what you are doing and design your team.

Large corporations have advisors and a board of directors. You need to surround yourself with advisors and have your own board of directors. The things you consider work someone else considers play. I want you to make a list of things that you think of as work or a chore and find someone who is the expert in that field and ask him or her to be on your board of directors.

Your board of directors or team of advisors should consist of at least a seven key people.

1. Bookkeeper/Quick Books Professional. If you do not like doing your record keeping or understand what the reports are telling you then you need a bookkeeper or Quick Books Professional on your team. He or she will input your receipts, income and expenses into Quick Books or your appropriate software. He or she will then sit down with you and advise you on what the reports really mean. He or she can also save you money by sending out invoices and collecting payment. He or she can also remind you when to pay your bills so you do not incur late fees.

2. Tax preparer/Enrolled Agent. This person will be a fresh set of eyes on the work your bookkeeper or Quick Books Professional has done. An enrolled agent will be able to represent you if you are ever audited by the IRS. Find a person that resonates with your personality. If you are conservative and do not want to push the envelope then find a tax preparer or enrolled agent that is conservative. If you are daring, bold, and want to push the limits, find a person that also lives dangerously. You will probably not like the person if your personalities do not mesh.

3. Website Designer. You will not be taken seriously if you do not have a professional website. A homemade website is good for the first year or two when you are just starting out and truly deciding if being an entrepreneur is for you. However, after that when you start getting clients you need a professionally designed website. Interview several people and find someone that is listening to what you want and respects your budget. It is not always you get what you pay for. There are many wonderful web designers who will not charge you an arm and a leg for a website. On the flipside there are people charging mega bucks who will not produce the website that you want. You also need someone that can think for you and offer suggestions. It is his or hers job to know Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and other ways to drive traffic to your site. He or she will also be able to advise you on the latest trends and update or maintain your website. The person must also understand your unique industry needs and trends.

4. Marketing/Public Relations Expert. Unless you went to school and studied marketing or advertising this is one area that you will spend a great deal of money when trying to “do it yourself” (DIY). DIY projects cost small business owners lost time and money. The marketing and advertising budget is probably the area where most businesses during their start up stage waste their largest chunk of money because they don’t know what they are doing. Business owners spend recklessly designing business cards and brochures using templates that everyone else is using. This is a red flag that the business is new and not profitable. The worst part is that other small business owners used the same templates and know exactly where the new small business owner purchased his or her products. The products will usually have a typo or misaligned text due to the purchaser’s error when designing the business card or brochure.  You and your business are judged on the quality of your business cards, brochures, etc. Since you have not studied marketing, a marketing professional will be able to assist you in designing your items so you look big, profitable, and attract clients that will pay you for your services.

5. Lawyer. Have you attended law school? If the answer is no then you need to have a lawyer who can review your contracts. Yes, you will at one time or another need to have a contract with a client or with another business owner. Start asking other small business owners whom they use so you can find a lawyer who can be on your team. Again, ensure he or she understands your industry.

6. Banker. We all love and need money. There will be a time when you will want to borrow money for a home loan or business expansion. It is best to know what you need when you go to apply for a loan then when you want the loan. Find a small business owner friendly banker. He or she will be able to tell you what you need to have if you should ever want to get a loan. You will be surprised that banks will want more paperwork from an entrepreneur than someone that receives a steady paycheck if you want to purchase a home or get a loan. It is best to know what they will require so your Quick Books Advisor and Enrolled Agent can routinely prepare these items.

7. Business Coach. Your business coach will be your mentor, confidant, advisor, and coach. She will challenge you to take action and keep moving your business forward. She will be objective, see things through a fresh set of eyes, and tell you how she sees it. She will not pacify you or sugar coat things. When you are attacked by fear and doubt, she will help you work through the self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors. She will keep you focused and hold you accountable for what you say you are going to do. If you are becoming complacent, she will call you on the carpet. Your business coach will teach you the systems and strategies needed to grow your business so you earn more money.

The members you have on your board of directors should be people you trust and who you see as the expert in their field. You are relying upon them to be your other part of your brain. You expect them to advise you. You will want to sit down with your board of directors on a regular basis so they can help you grow your business. Remember, a board of directors is not just for corporations and big business. A board of directors is for the savvy business owner who want to succeed and grow his or her business.

 

Five Tips to Control Summertime Chaos

Regardless of your age, marital or socioeconomic status, at one time or another, you will experience stress and anxiety. Each changing season produces different stressors. Summertime has the pendulum swinging from how to keep children from fighting and saying they are bored to keeping them free from sunburns to an upcoming move to a new neighborhood. The body’s initial reaction to stress is fight or flight. Symptoms of excess stress include feeling mentally and physically exhausted, problems sleeping, tension headaches, bowel disturbances, a lowered immune system, and irritability.

Here are five tips to control summertime chaos:

 1. Laugh. You have probably heard that laughter is the best medicine. Research shows that laughing produces endorphins which cause you to relax, experience joy, and ease pain. When feeling stressed picking up the telephone and speaking with a friend can often bring a smile to your face that will aid in producing the feel good endorphins. Also, turning on the television and watching your favorite sitcom can aid in reducing stress and anxiety.

 2. Evaluate your diet. Limit caffeinated products because caffeine is a stimulant. Alcohol consumption should also be restricted since alcohol is a depressant. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables over commercially processed items. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables are easier for your body to digest than commercially processed foods such as cookies and chips. However, there is nothing wrong with occasionally indulging your chocolate craving.

 3.  Exercise. Engaging in exercise is another way for your body to produce endorphins. Taking time for a walk after dinner or meeting a friend for a game of racquetball can raise your level of feel good endorphins while getting you in shape physically and mentally.

 4. Have a MAP (Master Action Plan). When you stop to think about what is causing anxiety such as an upcoming move or the absence of a spouse during a deployment you can develop strategies to cope with the stress. Creating a step by step plan on how to walk through the action will allow you to empower yourself by taking charge of the situation. If you are experiencing stress on how to keep the children entertained during summer vacation you can develop a daily schedule so that the child knows what to expect throughout the day; children thrive on routine. Having a Plan A is great but having Plan B and Plan C will ensure you have covered whatever may be thrown at you with minimal disruption.

 5. Increase Productivity. Productivity creates an atmosphere of positive change and is more fruitful than worrying and doing nothing.

 It is impossible to ignore or reduce all stressors from our lives. However, when you are able to recognize your limits of stress and know how to use practical strategies to reduce stress you will control summertime chaos. Therefore, laugh and exercise to raise your endorphin level. Be productive and design your MAP to navigate stressful situations. Lastly, don’t forget to occasionally indulge your chocolate craving and enjoy your summer.

 Coach Jaynine turns Dreams into Reality. She teaches business owners how to develop their presence in the community by having the necessary systems in place so they are seen as the EXPERT. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to be the expert, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810.

Twitter Tip Thursday

 TrackThis

track packages using http://www.usetrackthis.com/   you must follow on Twitter TrackThis and send them a Direct Message (DM) with the tracking number and assign it a nickname. Then you will receive DM’s when the package changes locations. This is great for following your packages that are being shipped using FedEx, USPS, UPS, or DHL.

You and Your Business: Do You Have a Mission Statement?

Why are you in business? What problems do you solve for the consumer? Do you have ethical standards? Where is your moral compass pointing? When was the last time you reviewed your Mission Statement? Do you even have a Mission Statement?

A Mission Statement is not just for business owners. Families can have a Mission Statement too. A Mission Statement is a clear concise statement that expresses your purpose in a way that resonates with employees and customers.

There are three main parts to a Mission Statement:

 1. Purpose of the business, organization or family – what need or opportunity does the business address.

 2.  How does your business address the needs – what do you do to take away the customers pain point.

 3.  Organizational values – what principles or beliefs guide your work.

Your Mission Statement should be reviewed at least every five years. The reason you want a Mission Statement is so that potential customers know what you do and how you do it and the direction your moral compass is pointing. People do business with those they know, like, and trust. You will also want to review your mission statement when expanding your product line or expanding your business to see if you are staying true to your Mission. Your employees need to know your Mission Statement so they know what the purpose of the business is so they can focus on fulfilling the Mission.

 When you are writing your Mission Statement, you will want to:

1. Express your purpose in a way that inspires loyalty.

2. Motivate those affiliated with your business.

3. Articulate your mission in a way that is clear and easy to understand.

4. Use proactive verbs.

5. Skip industry jargon.

6. Keep it brief.

As we celebrate Independence Day, I challenge each of you to sit down at your family gathering and write a Family Mission Statement. Lead a family discussion on what is important to your family and how you would like future generations to remember your family. Do you want to be remembered as the family that argued all the time or the family that did volunteer work and contributed to society? Older children can write the statement after soliciting ideas from all generations of family members and the smaller children can draw pictures depicting your family’s Mission Statement. Get creative, have fun, and let your family know where the family moral compass is pointing.

 If you are a business owner, I challenge you to dust off your mission statement and review it. Has your mission changed? Do your marketing materials reflect your mission? Do your products and services align with your Mission Statement? When I see your logo or brand, will I know what your mission is? If you do not have a mission statement NOW is the time to write one. 

 

If you would like to learn more about growing your business I invite you to join my Dynamic Business Owners Coaching Club. I coach business owners who want to make more money on the systems and strategies needed.

Twitter Tip Thursday – Qwitter

It’s Twitter Tip Thursday – Stop Smoking using Qwitter http://bit.ly/16k5MD

This is a great tool to use to track the number of cigarettes you are smoking and it allows you to keep a journal to record your thoughts.

 If you would like to receive tips like this please sign up for my free ecourse Networking Detox: My 5 Secrets to Networking Success at http://www.coachjaynine.com and you will be added to my mailing list to receive Twitter Tips each Thursday directly in your email.

Happy Tweeting!

Coach Jaynine

Mind Your Own Business: REINVENT YOURSELF COACHING SERIES

Two years ago retired Marine, Jaynine Howard, traded in her combat boots to help others catch their dreams. On July 7, 2009, Dream Catcher, Howard’s small business coaching, mentoring and consulting company, is set to join forces with Linda Griffin a business coach from Virginia to help individuals who are re-entering the workforce after being laid off , had an extended absence, who are thinking about starting their own business or coming out of retirement to reinvent themselves.

Coach Howard says “Give us four weeks and we’ll give you a jump start on achieving your goals. We take a no-nonsense approach and blend in a little fun to ensure that by August, you will have clearly identified and personalized business goals, a resume that works for both corporate career or entrepreneur, and a game plan on how to use your talents, passion and mission for business.” 

Coach Howard capitalizes on her experience as a retired Marine, psychologist, and life and business coach to help individuals turn their dreams into reality.  Sessions are conducted via telephone and the internet thus allowing clients to save travel, time and money by not having to take time off work or leave home.  Sessions are also recorded in case a person cannot attend all eight sessions.

Coach Howard is a member of the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce, Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, the American Psychological Association, 24/7 Coaching, and Coachville. To learn more about these dynamic Coaches and to register for the Mind Your Own Business: Reinvent Yourself Coaching Series visit her website at www.myobworkshop.com .

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Feedback – Why We Hate It and Why We Need It!

Whether you are the employer or employee or a business person selling a service or product you will at one time or another be the recipient of unsolicited feedback. Does it make you feel personally attacked and cause you to become defensive? Do you feel like a small child being scolded? Does it make you feel inferior? If so, you are not alone. Unsolicited feedback is often unwelcomed. However, it should not be ignored.

Feedback whether solicited or unsolicited should be considered an opportunity to grow personally and professionally. In order to learn from feedback you must develop your feedback-ability. Things are constantly changing. There will always be new industry standards and consumer trends that require your attention. Someone will always offer a way for you to do something better or differently. Feedback from others can ensure that you are staying abreast of things that you may not have noticed.

 In order to develop your feedback-ability you must implement these 3 steps.

1. Solicit your employees, peers, and customers for their feedback.

2. Put down your defensive shield.

3. Exam the feedback and turn any negative feedback into a positive learning experience. Example: If the feedback is that your product looks dingy and faded you can examine the placement of the product and move it from the window before more merchandise is damaged. The feedback just saved you money. We all have annoying habits that drive people crazy. It is better to know what you are doing that is driving people nuts and be able to curtail it than to wake up one day and you are alone or you are asked to leave.

Lack of feedback does not mean that everything is going great in your business or life. Implementing the 3 steps above will ensure that you have employees that feel confident they can bring their ideas and concerns to you without fear of reprisal. Customers will feel valued that you respect their opinions. So put down the defensive shield and open your eyes and turn feedback into an opportunity to grow personally and professionally.

 

Coach Jaynine turns Dreams into Reality. She teaches business owners how to develop their presence in the community by having the necessary systems in place so they are seen as the EXPERT. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to be the expert, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today. You can download her free eCourse Networking Detox: My 5 Secrets to Networking Success at www.coachjaynine.com

Article Writing, Growing Your List and the Squeeze Page

 

Are you a business owner wanting to grow your business? The answer is in your “list”. You can build your list by writing articles, blogs, and sending out a newsletter to promote your business. People buy from experts. Establish yourself as the expert in your niche by writing.

Article writing is easier than you think. You pick a topic that is your passion and offer the reader tips, your opinion, and your insight on that topic. Because you are writing on a topic that is your passion the article writing process will be effortless.  You will be able to write an article within 10 – 20 minutes because you are writing on a topic that you know very well and are the expert on. You can recycle your article by posting it on your various blogs and social networking sites. You can also use the article in your newsletter and offer it to others to use in their newsletters too. Go Green…recycle, recycle, recycle.

Now, after you have written your article you will want to include a resource box at the end of the page. This will include a call to action. You want the reader to go to your website. The website you will want the reader to visit will be your Squeeze Page. This way the reader is only afforded the opportunity to read one page of information and he or she will leave their email address and other contact information to receive a free product such as a special report, ecourse, or coupon. When the reader visits your main website, too many distractions such as multiple pages, buttons to click, and information to read can cause the reader to not leave his or her information. You want to capture his or her email address so you can add him or her to your “list”.

Grow Your Business NOW by writing articles, posting them to your blog and social networking sites, and driving traffic to your Squeeze Page.

Coach Jaynine turns Dreams into Reality. She teaches business owners how to develop their presence in the community by having the necessary systems in place so they are seen as the EXPERT. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to be the expert, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810.

Customer Service and Your Authentic Self

We often hear people say that to truly enjoy being a business owner we need to be authentic. We also hear that customers and clients will flock to us when we are authentic. Well, just what does authentic mean?  The Webster dictionary defines authentic as being reliable and genuine.

We all want to provide reliable service and our customers and clients expect us to be reliable. However, do they expect us to be genuine? I think the answer is yes and no.

If your business thrives on you providing advice and your customers see you as the expert then you will probably get away with being blunt and saying what needs to be said even though it may not be what the person wants to hear. I think the key is using tact and being respectful. Do not shame the client. Nevertheless, the client is paying you to be the expert and be honest with him or her.

However, if you are in a business that requires you to adopt the “client is always right” mentality you may not always be able to be authentic. The key is to appear authentic when you truly do not want to be. People can see through the B.S. and fluff and all you will do is make them annoyed and skeptical of your intentions.  When attempting to appear authentic you will need to make sure your body language matches your verbal language.  Do not say something positive while displaying negative body language.

Business relationships are based upon the “know, like, and trust” factor. You must establish rapport with your customers and clients. You must take time to get to know their likes and dislikes. None of us like being around a person who thinks they know us and are overly friendly; it makes us cautious and leery of their intentions. Taking time to establish rapport is key. When you know the person and you like the person you will be able to employ tact to guide the conversation in the right direction. When trust has been established, the customer or client will see you as the expert and trust your opinion. Only when the “know, like, and trust” is established will you be able to be your authentic self.

When you are authentic, you will have less stress in your life because you do not have to pretend to be someone that you are not. You will be at inner peace and know that you provided excellent customer service.

 

Coach Jaynine turns Dreams into Reality. She teaches business owners how to develop their presence in the community by having the necessary systems in place so they are seen as the EXPERT. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to be the expert, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810. You can sign up for a free membership at http://www.coachjaynine.com

 

Time to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Coach Jaynine

Do you know what your comfort zone is? Do you recognize the physiological and psychological symptoms of when you are pushed by events or people to get out of your comfort zone? Your comfort zone is often the place where you are able to operate on automatic pilot and produce stellar results. So why would want to get out of your comfort zone? The list is endless. Maybe you want to pursue a new dream or goal. Maybe you want to grow personally or professionally. Maybe you are bored and really do not like being in your comfort zone. We all have stayed employed at jobs where we did not like the people or the work yet we stayed because it was comfortable. We made up excuses on why we could not job hunt or do something different.

Today is the day to take action to get out of your comfort zone. I want you to implement my five tips below so you can turn your dreams into reality.

1. Dare to dream. Find a quiet spot and take time to reminisce on things you wanted to accomplish in this lifetime. How many do you still want to accomplish? Write them in a journal or on a piece of paper.

2. MAP. Start designing your master action plan on how you will accomplish each goal or dream. It is ok to take baby steps. Assign goal completion dates beside each task so you know the date you want to have each goal completed.

3. Reward. How are you going to reward yourself for completing each goal? You may have small rewards for baby steps and larger rewards for the bigger goals.

4. Tell the World. Announce to your friends and family your new goals. Solicit their help in pushing you out of your comfort zone and completing your goals.

5. Examine Your Environment. You will need to take time to examine your environment so you can pinpoint people, places, and things that are sabotaging your efforts to move forward and escape your comfort zone. You will need to recognize people that are jealous that you are moving forward and you will want to recognize places and things that keep you from moving forward i.e. fear, time, lack of knowledge, etc. Do not let people, places, and things keep you from turning your dreams into reality.

As long as you are in your comfort zone, you are not growing personally or professionally. I want you to embrace the butterflies in your tummy feeling. I want you acknowledge that sweaty palms are a sign of growth. Now is the time to take a deep breath, enter a room full of strangers at a networking event, and say hello first. When you implement my five tips above you will be able to propel yourself to take action and get yourself out of your comfort zone. I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and start turning your dreams into reality.

 

Coach Jaynine turns Dreams into Reality. She teaches business owners how to develop their presence in the community by having the necessary systems in place so they are seen as the EXPERT. Jaynine has over 20 years experience as a United States Marine, psychotherapist, and business owner. If you are ready to be the expert, increase your revenue and take your business to the next level contact Jaynine today at www.coachjaynine.com or 910-539-2810. You can sign up for a free membership at www.coachjaynine.com

Local Business Owner Reaches Out In “Effective Communication Month”

news release

for immediate release            

 Local Business Owner Reaches Out In “Effective Communication Month”

  Jacksonville, NC –May 11, 2009- We can all think of times when a misunderstanding has caused big problems. We spend our entire lives communicating but we’re normally too busy getting our message out there to worry about whether it has been effective. That is why during “Effective Communication Month” a local business owner is making sure every action or word, spoken or written is communicated to the right people in the right way and is urging other businesses to do the same.

 From May 1^st to the 31^st  JAYNINE HOWARD will be the taking the time to communicate effectively with her friends and family as well as her clients and business partners.

 Howard, who owns and runs Dream Catcher in Jacksonville, points to recent data that shows as more consumers tighten their budgets, it’s quality customer service is what keeps a business viable and strong and says “Effective Communication Month” as a catalyst for review. “With such strong competition in such difficult times it’s vital that we make ourselves heard. A company that is considered more of a partner with their prospects, rather than a vendor, ends up becoming an asset to customers,” she says.

 “Communicating the wrong thing, communicating with the wrong person, communicating in the wrong way or simply explaining things badly can be fatal for a small business. If you don’t already have a plan or strategy for your communications I would strongly encourage you to use this month to create one, try a few things out and put your plan into practice,” Howard says.  “Ask yourself how your current and prospective clients respond to your communications, how you would like them to respond, and what you need to do for them to respond in that way?”

 Founded in 2006, Dream Catcher helps business owners to develop their presence by using the free of Web 2.0.

 So what is Howard doing to improve the effectiveness of her communication? She will be hosting a Lunch and Learn free seminar called Crash Course in Social Networking:  How to Get Your Business Noticed at the CCCC Melton Skills Center, Room 110 from 12-1:30pm EST.  “The main thing is to build relationships and make yourself understood….and most of all to have fun with it” says Howard.

 

 

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contact: Jaynine Howard

910-539-2810

Jaynine@coachjaynine.com

 

Do You Have Your Beach Body or Are You Exercise Challenged?

Four months have passed since you made your New Years Resolution to stick to an exercise plan. How are you doing? Are you sticking to your plan or have you abandoned it? Each year people start the New Year with the best intentions to stick to an exercise program; so what happened? Many people adopted a plan that was not suited for their personality. Ask yourself “Does your personality fit your exercise routine or are you trying to fit into your exercise routine?” Beach season is just around the corner. But there is still time to get your beach body.

Research shows that you will only adhere to an exercise program that fits your true personality. In order for you to design an exercise plan that you will stick to you must honestly answer four questions. How much time do you have to devote to exercise? Do you get bored easily with your current exercise routine? Do you prefer to workout alone or with a partner? Does your exercise routine reflect your personality? If lack of time prevents you from attending a gym you may want to consider activities that can be conducted in the privacy of your home or outdoors in your neighborhood when weather permits. Many at home activities do not require the purchase of expensive equipment. Unfortunately, people often use lack of time to exercise as an excuse to not go to the gym. Think back to what you enjoyed doing for fun when you were a child. Jumping rope, roller blading, or riding a bike can add variety to your exercise program. If you have various activities you enjoy you can alternate your workout program to alleviate boredom before it strikes. Additionally, well meaning people may say they will join you at the gym only to call at the last minute and cancel; resulting in you skipping your workout. If you truly like working out with a partner find someone who is dependable, committed, and who will push you to reach a peak performance. There is nothing wrong with preferring to workout alone. People often drop out of an exercise program because the program does not fit their personality. If you are a night owl do not try to be the first person at the gym each morning. For those of you that like being outside in the fresh air get yourself outside and hit the running or walking trails; don’t stay inside the gym on the treadmill.  When you are honest with yourself on how much time you can devote to exercising, have a plan to combat boredom or workout partner no shows, and find a routine that suits your personality you will overcome your exercise challenges.

May is the perfect month to stop being exercised challenged. The weather is not too hot or too cold. Beach season is just around the corner; what better motivator than to find an exercise routine that compliments your true personality.

Happy Sunday

It is a glorious spring day here in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I just got in from a walk/jog with Miss Savanna and will be heading to the beach later this morning with my daughter. This evening I will be enjoying fondue with girl friends in Wilmington, North Carolina at The Little Dipper.

I hope you are remembering to take time for self care and are able to enjoy spending a leisurely day with family and friends. If you are reading this I know you are as driven as me. So I wanted to stop by this morning and give you permission to take the day off from working hard raising your family, cleaning house, and working on your business. You are NOT allowed to work today. Go enjoy the day and enjoy life!

I know most of you know the story regarding a conversation I had with one of my clients Grandmothers. She was a dynamic lady who had lived life but was now taking care of a disabled granddaughter and taking care of a very ill husband. She had no regrets. She also could no longer drive. She told me one day to go out and make my dreams come true. She told me to do whatever I wanted so that when I was old and not able to drive or get around I would not be old and grouchy. She said “enjoy life now, do what you want to do, do what you are dreaming of doing so when you can’t get around you have memories to make you smile. Those memories will make you happy when you are alone or not able to get around.” I always remember that conversation and am so glad that someone gave me permission to enjoy life.

So get off the insanity train and make time TODAY to enjoy life.

Yours truly…turning dreams into reality,

Coach Jaynine

Spring is in the air…are you tweeting?

Are you tweeting? Twitter is capturing the world by storm. It is the latest and greatest social networking site.  Twitter allows you to engage in social networking by typing a 140-character message. This ensures the message is brief and concise. Your friends on Twitter are called tweeps and your message is called a tweet. Social networking is used to build your visibility, increase your credibility, and establish yourself as the expert in your niche while increasing your revenue.  Social networking is a free tool that all business owners should be utilizing. The purpose of social networking is to connect with others in your industry, get instant access to what is going on in the world, learn from others, see what others are saying about you or your customers, and lastly drive people to your website.

 

People buy products and services from those they know, like, and trust. Social networking is about networking. You want to take time to build relationships. Do not post photos or comments that are unprofessional. If you would not want your mother or grandmother to see it or read it- do not post it. When writing your online profile you want to write it in the first person and include your hobbies and outside business interests so that you can establish rapport with visitors to your social networking site.  Do not blatantly sell your products or services on your social networking site. Social networking sites are anti-spam and they will shut you down. Make sure your messages are genuine and not one message that you cut and paste to everyone on your friend list.

 

You will want to build your network slowly with quality people. Remember it is quality verse quantity. Do not worry about having thousands of people as your friends. Focus on the quality of the relationships. You can build your network by joining groups such as alumni organizations, hobby groups, and sports teams. Take time to ask questions of group members and truly begin to establish rapport.

 

Additionally you will want to update your status feature a few times a week. There are various time management tools to help make this painless.

 

Ping.fm is a tool that allows you to post a message and it will post it on all your social networking sites.

Twitter.com allows you to post a tweet and have it posted on Facebook simultaneously.

Tweetlater.com allows the user to set up tweets to go out on a certain day and time for up to a year.

Twellow.com lets you find people by region, state, name, business etc…it is a phone book with a search feature.

Tweetdeck.com is run from your desktop and lets you access your twitter account by friends, direct messages, and replies. You can also Tweet from Tweetdeck.

 

Remember, people do business with those they know, like, and trust. Using my tips above will guarantee that everyone will be buzzing about you and your business. So get out there and start Tweeting!

 

Coach Jaynine helps business owners make more money. She coaches clients on the systems and strategies needed to increase their productivity, visibility and credibility in the community. Coach Jaynine is a retired United States Marine and a PhD candidate with Capella University. She relies upon her 20 plus years of management experience and her degree in psychology to get people to take action so they make more money. Visit her website at www.coachjaynine.com and download your free   e-course Networking Detox: My 5 Secrets to Networking Success.

Spring Time is Inventory Time

Now that the first quarter of the year has passed, it is time to take inventory.  Inventory is often thought of as counting office supplies or products sitting in a warehouse waiting to be sold. The thought of conducting an inventory solicits moans and groans from those having to count the beans. When I think of inventory, I think in broader terms. In my opinion, inventory can take the form of office supplies or products in a warehouse but it also encompasses personal growth and your vision for your business as well as lessons learned.

The second quarter of the year is the time to replace depleted office supplies before you are caught off guard with zero supplies on hand.  It may be time to order supplies in larger quantities to save money if you actually use the products and have available storage. However, I caution you against purchasing excess products that you cannot pay cash for or that may be damaged while sitting in storage. You should not pay for storage if you do not have it readily available. Do not purchase excess office supplies if you do not have the available cash. There is no point in buying in bulk to get a discount if you have to charge the purchase and pay interest on the purchase or pay for extra for storing of the supplies. 

Products sitting in your warehouse or not sitting in your warehouse will enable you to review your product inventory and profit centers. Now is the time to take time to see what products are selling and what products may need to be eliminated from your product line or have their price reduced so they sell. If a product is flying off the shelf, you may want to review the price and see if you are selling it too cheaply. It is also the time to solicit input from your customers and listen to what they want.

What lessons did you learn in the first quarter of the year? Using journaling and self-reflection, you will be able to review the events of the first quarter. What are your plans for personal growth? Have you grown from the lessons learned in the first quarter? Did you learn from your mistakes? Do you need to take continuing education courses? Remember it is ok and necessary to invest in you so take the time to invest in you.

Are you on track for personal and business growth? What better time to review your roadmap for success and ensure that you are honoring your business mission statement and vision.  Use this moment to make any necessary adjustments so you can continue to grow personally and professionally and honor your mission statement and vision.

Hence, as the pollen falls from the trees and your nose begins to sniffle I encourage to make time for your spring inventory. Invest in self-reflection so you can learn from the lessons that took place during the first quarter of the year. Invest in your personal and professional growth by investing in a coach.

A business coach will help you review your personal and professional inventory so you can live life on your terms and turn your dreams into reality. Today is the someday you have been waiting for…so let’s get busy and grow your business NOW.

 

Coach Jaynine turns dreams into reality. She coaches business owners who want to make more money. Jaynine coaches business owners on the systems and strategies needed to increase their productivity, credibility and visibility in the community so they are seen as the expert in the community. If you are ready to be seen as the expert contact her today at www.coachjaynine.com and sign up to receive her FREE e-course “My 5 Secrets to Networking Success”.

©Jaynine Howard, Dream Catcher and Coach Jaynine’s Blog, 2009, unauthorized use and /or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jaynine Howard and Coach Jaynine’s Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

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Home Based Businesses are SUPERIOR not Inferior

Home based business does not mean inferior quality in goods produced or services offered. Nor does it mean that the business is not profitable or that it is someone’s hobby. Over the past year, I have attended various programs and listened to speakers talk down to home based business owners. The presenters often wanted to share his or her unsolicited advice on how he or she grew his or her business that of course was never a home based business to begin with. I am here today to dispel the negative connotation associated with the term home based business.

 

Many people become a solopreneur or micropreneur because they want the freedom to think for themselves, create their own programs and products, and have control over their destiny. Several professions do not lend themselves to turn into big business. Nor do all business owners want to own a big business. I think those spouting their unsolicited advice often forget this. I am psychologist and business coach. I am not a franchise. I write my own coaching programs based on my unique personal, professional and educational background.  I have already retired from one profession and enjoy life on my terms. The solopreneurs that I know and coach are artists, designers, and professionals that serve a unique niche. Often consumers do not want to purchase a product from a large conglomerate. They want to support the Mom and Pop or local business owners.

 

The New York Times recently wrote that many solopreneurs are launching their own businesses because they cannot find employment or as a way to have something to rely upon in case they are laid off. Being a solopreneur takes the stress out of being fired or laid off.  Small businesses typically fail not due to lack of money but lack of energy. The majority of my business-coaching clients are operating debt free. They will be around for a very long time to ensure customer satisfaction. Since they are small business owners, they know the names of their clients and know their clients’ needs. Home based allows the solopreneur to save money on overhead costs and pass that savings on to his or her clients. Characteristically, the home based business owner offers flexibility that is not seen in a larger storefront business. The home based business owner will often conduct business on weekends, early morning, or late evening so the client does not need to take off work.

 

Before dismissing doing business with a home based business I encourage you to get to know the business owner. He or she is probably college educated with an advanced degree or has over 10 years industry experience. Personally, getting to know the home based business owner is something you may not get the pleasure of doing when conducting business with a larger storefront or big business. It also gives you the opportunity to support your local economy.

 

Remember, home based business does not mean inferior quality in goods or services. Home based business means flexibility for the consumer, passed down savings due to lower overhead, and a higher degree of customer service and satisfaction. The home based business owners is a small business owner because that is what he or she wants to be. Home based businesses offer Superior services to YOU and for YOU.

 

Are you a conversation monopolizer? Conversation is a two-way exchange of information

Conversation is a two-way exchange of information. There seems to be an epidemic that has affected each of us. Lately, people keep telling me how they just got off the phone or went to dinner with someone who did all the talking and they did not get to say anything other than an occasional “hmmm” “oh my” “really” “yes” “you don’t say”. This is not engaging in a conversation. This is being an audience member.

If you are guilty of doing all the talking, I encourage you to stop and share the stage. Ask questions and actively listen to the other person. I have identified three types of conversation monopolizers.

1. The 1 Upper – this person has done whatever you just told them you did but they did it on a more grandiose scale. Thus, leaving you feeling defeated. I suggest that even if you can one up the person because you really have been there or done that…stop yourself, bite your tongue, and let the person enjoy basking in their glory.

2. The Know It All – this person thinks he or she knows how you should be conducting your life or business within seconds of introducing yourself to them. The best thing you can do is just nod your head in agreement with your best fake smile because if you try to argue or state your position they will continue to give you unsolicited advice anyway.

3. The Martyr – this person is never having a good day. They are the sacrificial lamb to all their family and friends and they love it. When you meet this person, I suggest you run…run very fast and get away. Their negative energy is contagious and you do not want to catch it.

I encourage you to implement my six steps for polite conversation.

1. Ask about the other person first before telling your news.

2. Actively listen to the tone of their voice and the words they are saying. Often times you may hear a discrepancy. If you hear, a discrepancy probe further and focus on them.

3. Share the stage. When you share your news, remember the person has news to share too. Enjoy the exchange of words. Enjoy having a real conversation.

4. Do not 1 Up the other person. Let them bask in their glory.

5. Do not be The Know It All; because guess what, you do not know it all.

6. Don’t whine or be negative. It is very draining to others.

When you implement my six steps for polite conversation, you will be the person that others love to engage in a conversation with.

 

Jaynine Howard is the owner of Dream Catcher – Business Coaching. She has over 20 years of experience helping others design systems and strategies that increase their productivity and credibility. If you are ready to take action and earn more money, contact her today at www.coachjaynine.com. Sign up to receive your free e-course Networking Detox: My 5 Secrets to Networking Success today at www.networkingdetox.com

 

Failure is OK During a Recession or Anytime: Failure is the welcomed opportunity to grow personally and professionally

Failure is ok. The media is bombarding us with stories of failure. There are layoffs, economic failure, and other gloom and doom stories. I am here to tell that failure is ok. You do not need to play the victim. I am not sure how the word failure became such a dirty word. But listen…failure is ok. Failing at something is just a sign that you need to learn more about that particular area of your life. Here is what I want you to do next time you think you “failed”.

1.  Self Reflect:  Find a quiet space and claim it all to yourself. Turn off the cell phone and get out your pen and paper. Think real hard back to what went wrong. Write it down. Think about what went right? Write it down too. Think about your coulda, woulda, shoulda’s. Write them down. Self reflection will show you that you didn’t fail.

 

2.  Dream: Dare to dream new dreams or continue with your current dream. Your dream should be somewhat realistic and attainable only you know how committed you are to making them reality. Make a list of things you would like to accomplish this week, this month, and this year. Make another list of things you would like to accomplish with the next 2, 3, 5 years and so on. Remember this is your list not someone else’s and not a list of things you should do. It is your list. You own it.

 

3.  Design a MAP: Now you need to design a Master Action Plan. This will be your roadmap on how you are going to get yourself from where you are today to where you want to be by the end of the week, month and year. You will also design a roadmap for the upcoming years also. Designing your MAP will take time but it is time well spent or how else are you going to know you are headed in the right direction?

 

4.  Take Action: Now you need to put action behind those dreams so they are transformed into reality. Taking action is probably the hardest step. Often you do not know how to get moving. But remember you have your MAP. Pull it out and read the first step. Use your Map to get you moving in the direction of completing your first dream by the end of the week. Rome was not built in a day. Your dreams will not come true overnight. You must take baby steps and sometimes big steps to get you moving so you can turn your dreams into reality. But at least get up, get moving forward so you can succeed.

 

5.   Reward Yourself: As you accomplish your goals and dreams reward yourself. You may want to predetermine a reward prior to beginning to work on your MAP. This way you have a carrot dangling over you that you want; it will motivate you to work hard. The reward can be as simple as buying a new bottle of nail polish, going to the library to check out new books, or splurging on your favorite coffee. You can also have larger rewards for when you have accomplished several smaller goals. This could be something such as a facial, massage, or mini weekend vacation. Rewarding your self is not being selfish. It is rewarding yourself for a job well done it is taking care of you. Women often fail to reward themselves, others often take them for granted, and fail even say thank you. NOW IS THE TIME TO INVEST IN YOU!

 

6.  Journaling: Record your progress or lack of progress daily in a journal. This will allow you to see what you have done with your time. After a period of time of using a journal or my productivity tracker you will begin to see where you are wasting time or someone else is sabotaging your time and efforts.

 

As you learn to focus on you and work toward your dreams, you will see that failure is the welcomed opportunity to grow personally and professionally. You will have renewed confidence in yourself and your abilities because you will see that you are taking action because you have plan; you have focus, clarity, and purpose. Remember get up at a set time each day. Get dressed with a purpose. Keep your chin up and eyes pointed forward so you can see where you are going! Have a great transformation journey.

 

Jaynine Howard, PhD (ABD) has over 25 years of experience helping others win. She coaches dynamic business owners on how to increase their visibility and credibility in the community so they are positioned as the EXPERT by employing proven systems and strategies that will increase revenue. Are you ready to turn your dreams into reality? Sign up for her teleclass series Are You Playing to Win or Are You Playing to Lose www.dreamcatcher.camp8.org

 

 

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Taming Your Fear During a Recession: Part III

When you are feeling anxiety or fear regarding MONEY or your Business Success, employ my 5 Steps to Success below:

1. Confront the fear. Fear is different than anxiety. Fear is associated with a specific object. When you become paralyzed and cannot function due to an upcoming event, you are experiencing fear. You must be able to pinpoint the source of your fear in order to confront it. You can identify your fear by journaling. When you keep a journal you will be able to go back and identify times you experience anxiety and fear and use coping skills to manage the fear and anxiety.

2. Reexamine your business systems and strategies.  When the news or current events are making you feel fearful it is time to examine your business and personal systems and strategies. Now is the time to review your business plan, marketing plan, lead attraction and networking systems, and your crisis plan.

3. Look at your budget and ensure you are financially sound or take action to ensure you get back on track.  Remember, a budget is not a straight jacket to curtail all spending. A budget is a plan on how you are going to spend your money. Embrace the word budget and make the necessary adjustments for your personal and business survival. Do not forget to use the leverage power of Web2.0.

4. Examine your niche. If your niche can no longer afford your products or services it is time to tailor your product funnel so that there is something they can afford. Since many consumers are tightening their belts it is time to ensure that you have products or services that they can afford. You may want to bundle services to provide more value or offer individual products and services at a lower cost or for free. If you do not have a referral program or loyal customer rewards program now is the time to start one.

5. Call or email your Coach. Your coach can help you brainstorm the necessary systems and strategies needed so you can continue to grow your business and tame your fear.  Your coach will propel you to take action and hold you accountable. Coaching is an investment in you and your business. Isn’t now the time to invest in you and your business? Today is the someday you have been waiting for…take action now.

 

This is the third of a three part series on Taming Your Fear. Jaynine Howard, PhD (ABD) has over 25 years of experience. She coaches dynamic business owners on how to increase their visibility and credibility in the community so they are positioned as the EXPERT by employing proven systems and strategies that will increase revenue. Are you ready to turn your dreams into reality? Download your free productivity tracker at www.coachjaynine.com and don’t forget to join me on Friday, Feb 27th at 2pm EST for a free teleclass on Taming Your Fear.

Taming Your Fear During a Recession: Part II

Taming your Fear during a recession requires the use of Coping Skills.  Coping Skills will help you reduce anxiety and fear. The most commonly used are:

1.  Visualization. When you can pinpoint the source of your anxiety or fear you will be able to sit back and relax as you visualize a positive outcome. As you visualize the various scenarios you will be able to be in control of the outcome of the situation.

2. Positive self talk. Negative Nellie’s and Debbie Downers are bad for your psyche. Learn to use positive self talk to chase away anxiety and fear. Try to see the positive in all situations. Learn to employ the Laws of Attraction.

3.  Relaxation exercises/meditate/yoga. Now is the time to learn to be greedy and take time for YOU. Scheduling even just 15 minutes a day to engage in relaxation exercises, meditation, or yoga will reduce the stress, anxiety and fear you may be experiencing.  

4. Educate yourself. When you know the source of your anxiety and fear is the unknown take time to invest in educating yourself. If you do not understand your finances, or how to run a particular aspect of your business now is the time to learn. Educating yourself does not have to cost a lot of money. The internet and local library are valuable sources of credible information. You can also take part in free Teleclasses and webinars hosted by various agencies and coaches.

5. Exercise. Exercise will increase the production of your feel good endorphins and help chase the blues away. It is also a great way to stimulate the creative juices and brain storm. I always solve the world problems while out walking my dog or going for a run.

6. Vent and mastermind. We all know that keeping things bottled up inside is not good. Find someone that you can confide in and share you troubles and joys. If you do not belong to a mastermind group start one of your own. We all need people that we can trust and share our worries; plus they need us too for the very same reason.  

7.  Journaling.  Journaling and behavior charting are a great way to record the date, time, and situation that invokes feelings of fear and anxiety. After journaling or charting for a period of time you will be able to review if there are certain people or situations that always invoke the butterflies in your stomach to flutter.

8. Invest  in a Coach. Now is the time to invest in coaching.

Remember: Most situations that cause us to experience anxiety and fear are opportunities to grow.  Using my 8 coping skills listed above you will be able to tame your fear during a recession or anytime.

This is the second of a three part series on Taming Your Fear. Jaynine Howard, PhD (ABD) has over 25 years of experience. She coaches dynamic business owners on how to increase their visibility and credibility in the community so they are positioned as the EXPERT by employing proven systems and strategies that will increase revenue. Are you ready to turn your dreams into reality? Download your free productivity tracker at www.coachjaynine.com  Join me on Friday, February 27, 2009 @ 2pm EST for a free teleclass on Taming Your Fear. For more information visit www.coachjaynine.com

Taming Your Fear During a Recession: Part I

Does listening to the news or reading the newspaper make you feel scared? Does walking to the mailbox invoke feelings of gloom and doom? Do you walk around the majority of the day feeling anxious and afraid as if waiting for the other shoe to drop? The current state of the economy is the topic of discussion today and every day.  It invokes negative feelings in most people.

Taming your feelings of anxiety and fear is mandatory so you can move forward and have a happy and productive life. First, we must define anxiety and fear since most people misuse the words anxiety and fear. ANXIETY is defined as the vague unpleasant emotional feeling that makes us feel apprehensive, dread, distress, and an uneasiness. Anxiety is not focused on a specific object. Anxiety is manifested cognitively, behaviorally, and physiologically. FEAR is similar to anxiety but it is focused on a specific object such as public speaking, cold calling, or failure. People who experience fear can lose the ability to think, act, and perform.

There are three main perspectives associated with anxiety and fear. The Biological Perspective states that the  GABA system is responsible motivating fear and anxiety. People often go to their doctor and ask for medication to control or aid in reducing anxiety. Benzodiapines are anti-anxiety drugs that can be prescribed to regulate the GABA neural transmissions.

The Cognitive Perspective states that there are three motivators for anxiety and fear:  1. Loss of Control  2. Inability to use coping skills  3. State anxiety verses Trait Anxiety.

The Learning Perspective states that anxiety and fear are learned responses to situations. Your body develops its own coping skills to deal with the routine situations. Therefore, when things push us out of our comfort zone we experience anxiety. When you hide from your anxiety and fear your body becomes conditioned to the object that invokes those feelings. When you confront your fear and anxiety, your body learns to not experience fear and anxiety i.e. being afraid of dogs. You can either confront the fear (fight) and be calm when seeing a dog or you can hide from your feelings and always experience the flight tendency. When you feel the flight or fight response, take a minute to acknowledge it for what it is.

You can identify anxiety and fear by identifying the Physiological Symptoms of Anxiety or Fear. These are commonly manifested by someone complaining of having a stomachache, head ache, shortness of breath, butterflies or a pit in your stomach feeling, nausea, diarrhea, sleeplessness, high blood pressure, hunger or no appetite. This is just a short list you can make your own list of physiological symptoms.

Now is the time to change your mindset from negative to positive. Most situations that cause us to experience anxiety are experiences of growth.  Do you notice when you get butterflies in your stomach? Do you run from situations that make you feel the butterflies? When you pinpoint the source of anxiety and fear, you can confront the fear. Then you can design coping skills or a plan of action. Self certain people are aware and acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses. When you do not know or acknowledge your weaknesses, you are ill equipped to develop coping skills to conquer them.

The use of Coping Skills will help you reduce anxiety and fear. The most commonly used coping skills are visualization, positive self-talk, relaxation exercises/meditate/yoga, educate you, exercise, vent and mastermind, journaling and investing in a Coach.

When you are feeling anxiety or fear regarding MONEY or your Business Success employ the 5 Steps below in order to TAME YOUR FEAR:

1. Confront the fear.

2. Reexamine your business systems and strategies

3. Look at your budget and ensure you are financially sound or take action to ensure you get back on track

4. Examine your niche. If your niche can no longer can afford your products or services tailor your product funnel so that there is something they can afford.

5. Call or email your Coach.

You must take the necessary steps to tame your fear so that you can move forward and grow your business, grow personally and professionally, and be a pleasure to be around.

 

This is the first of a three part series on Taming Your Fear. Jaynine Howard, PhD (ABD) has over 25 years of experience. She coaches dynamic business owners on how to increase their visibility and credibility in the community so they are positioned as the EXPERT by employing proven systems and strategies that will increase revenue. Are you ready to turn your dreams into reality? Download your free productivity tracker at www.coachjaynine.com

Don’t forget to join me on Friday, February 27 at 2pm EST for a free teleclass on Taming Your Fear. For more information visit www.coachjaynine.com

Coach Jaynine’s Online Dating Etiquette Tips

Online dating is all the rage today. I do not even know how people meet prospective dates if they are not engaged in online dating. I have heard several complaints from men and women regarding online dating which prompted me to make my list of Dating Etiquette Tips.

1. Be prepared to pay for your own coffee or meal on the first meeting. Do not expect the other person to pay for your meal or coffee; this is not a date it is a meeting.

 

2. Don’t be afraid to call the other person. We are all too old for games or following outdated rules of dating. Pick up the phone and call the person if you want to chat.

 

3. If there is no attraction don’t feel bad; be honest. Do not waste each others time and money if there is no connection. Online dating can be expensive.

 

4. Don’t contact people that you know your friends are trying to establish an online relationship with. This goes back to the one rule from high school that must be followed.

 

5. Be willing to drive to meet the person or at least half way. Do not expect the other person to do all the driving. Everyone has to get up early for work etc. Respect the other person.

 

6. Use your manners and respect yourself.

 

7. Do not use online dating as a way to never have to cook your own dinner or pay for your movie ticket. I have heard several complaints from men that women just want dinner and then never call again. Remember, dinner costs money.  Be nice and pick up the tab once in a while.

 

8. Remember that online dating is time consuming and costly. Do not tease or flirt if you have no desire to meet the person.

 

9. Offer to pick up the tab once in a while. This is similar to #7. If you go on weekend getaways offer to pick up the tab. If you financially cannot do this then get creative and plan a romantic picnic or something equally nice.

 

10. Treat the other person with respect.

 

When you employ my ten tips for online dating etiquette, you will be guaranteed a pleasant dating experience.

 

Coach Jaynine is an author, speaker, and coach. She propels her clients to greatness so they can turn their dreams into reality. Visit her website at www.attractlovekeeplove.com for more information.

 

Dating and Safety

Writing your online profile is where you get to advertise yourself. Below are my tips on what NOT to include in your profile, my first meeting safety tips, and following your gut instinct.

Please respect your privacy and personal information. Do not be coaxed into providing the below information.

Do not include the following anywhere in your profile or reveal when first meeting someone:

• Last name
• Street Address
• Home Phone (use a cell phone)
• Work Phone
• Social Security Number
• Banking information
• Income (this may attract gold diggers…and yes, men can be gold diggers too)
• Place where you work (you don’t want them calling or showing up unannounced)
• Information regarding where your children play sports or go to school

 

Anyone that has been involved in online dating knows there are unspoken safety tips to follow. I have taken the privilege of writing them down and sharing them with those that may not know them in order to ensure your safety.

First Meeting Safety Tips:

• Do not allow the person to pick you up…meet them at a public place. I recommend a coffee shop or lunchtime cafe so that you have a quick reason to leave (need to get back to work etc) if there is no chemistry or the person misrepresented him or herself.
• Park your car in front of the coffee shop, under a light, or in a very public place (in case he walks you to your car).
• Ensure someone knows where you going and what time to expect you to return home.
• Escape Phone Call-have someone call you on your cell phone at a prescribed time to ensure you are safe. If the meeting is not going well this can be the excuse you can use to make your escape by politely explaining a friend needs you to pick up a sick child from school/sports etc. If the meeting is going well, you can thank the caller for calling and resume your meeting.

We often do not listen to our gut instinct. We often rationalize why we want to go against what it is telling us to do. I say “LISTEN TO YOUR GUT AND FOLLOW WHAT IT IS SAYING”.

Listen to your Vibration (Gut Instinct)

• Listen for inconsistencies in the conversation
• If the person won’t share a phone number maybe he or she is married.
• If after meeting and hitting it off the person does not introduce you to friends or family and only meets you at a location of your choice inquire why. Is he or she married?
• Be cautious of the person that displays anger easily or tries to control you – look for passive-aggressive behavior
• Acknowledge rude behavior
• Refuses to share a current photo
• Person still lives with parents
• Has served time in jail
• Is overly interested in a person’s children
• Excessive bragging
• Overly dominate religious or political views
• Immediately talks about sex or things of a very personal nature
• Do a Google search of their name and see what items may pop up online.
• Visit various dating websites to see if the persons profile is the same on each site or if there are discrepancies in age/height/marital status etc

 When you follow my safety tips listed above you will ensure that you have taken responsibility for your safety so you have a fun and pleasurable dating experience.

 Coach Jaynine is an author, speaker, and coach. She propels her clients to greatness so they can turn their dreams into reality. Visit her website at www.attractlovekeeplove.com for more information.

 

Sex and Dating

I firmly believe that if you are old enough to date you are old enough to talk about sex. If you cannot talk about sex with the other person; then you are not old enough or mature enough to be engaging in sex. Below are my 10 Rules for Safe Sex.

Coach Jaynine’s 10 Rules for Safe Sex

1.    Men and Women always practice safe sex.

2.    Women do not be shy…buy your own condoms and ask the man to use them.

3.    Before engaging in oral sex or intercourse ask the person to get an HIV/AIDS test and get you tested too. Play show and tell and exchange medical reports.

4.    Educate yourself about the latest STDs. Do not rely upon outdated information or gossip. Get the facts from your doctor or reputable website.

5.    Remember you cannot look and see all STDs.

6.    DO NOT PLAY Russian Roulette with your life.

7.    If you have an STD be responsible and tell your potential partner. In some instances, it is a crime to not disclose that information and infect someone.

8.    Do not put yourself in a dangerous situation.

9.    Do not be coerced into performing sex acts that you are uncomfortable engaging in.

10. ENJOY that you are old enough to be responsible for YOUR sexual health!!

 

Online dating and meeting people can be fun and exciting. However, never compromise your health and safety because you do not want to offend someone. Anyone that has been involved in online dating knows the items mentioned above are common sense and he or she will not be offended. If that person is offended, listen to your vibration and run!

 

Coach Jaynine is an author, speaker, and coach. She propels her clients to greatness so they can turn their dreams into reality. Visit her website at www.attractlovekeeplove.com for more information.

 

Stages in a Relationship

There are 10 stages in a relationship. It is paramount that you be able to identify each stage. Often people wake up one day and they are in the termination stage and they haven’t a clue how they got there. They just didn’t see it coming; because they didn’t pay attention to the relationship. All relationships need care and attention. Your car will not run if you do not do routine maintenance and put gas in it; a relationship needs fuel and maintenance too.

 

10 Stages of a Romantic Relationship

 

1.  Initiating Stage: This is when you first meet a person or become aware of whom he or she is. This stage can be very brief depending upon the circumstances. If you see someone at a social event and are then later introduced at that event you spend a very brief period of time in this stage. However, if you watch someone from afar for several months waiting for an introduction you may spend a great deal of time in this stage.

 

2.  Experimenting Stage: This stage is where people make small talk. This stage can be brief or very lengthy. There is no need to rush this stage.

 

3. Intensifying Stage: Friendship is born during this stage. You share common interests and needs with the other person.

 

4. Integrating Stage: This stage is where you begin to count on the other person. You know without discussion that Friday night you always go to dinner or on the weekend he will mow your lawn without you having to ask.

 

5. Bonding Stage: During this stage a commitment is formed. You do not have to enter the bonding stage. You can proceed to another stage. However, most people think of the bonding stage as when two people move in together or get married.

 

6. Differentiating Stage: The differentiating stage has the participants each focusing on his or her own pursuits. They are still committed to the relationship but they are not always joined at the hip. This is healthy as the individuality is re-established.

 

7. Circumscribing Stage: Now is the time to re-invest in the relationship or risk losing what you had in Stages 1-5. Many marriages or relationships end during this stage because people have forgotten what once attracted them to each other.

 

8. Stagnating Stage: If the relationship is still struggling this stage has the participants going through the motions or routine. There is still tension in the relationship and rituals have lost their meaning.

 

9. Avoiding Stage: The tension from the stagnating stage is still present and people begin to avoid each other. Arguments get more intense. The participants may make repeated attempts to save the relationship and friendship.

 

10. Terminating Stage: During this stage the relationship either ends because the participants choose and agree to end it or during the avoidance stage the people drift away and never reconnect with each other.

 

These 10 Stages can be used to give your relationship a tune up or to see where you are headed. I think it is important to pull out this list and identify where you are currently operating so that you can be prepared to take action and work on your relationship or make the decision to terminate it.

 

Coach Jaynine is an author, speaker, and coach. She propels her clients to greatness so they can turn their dreams into reality. Visit her website at www.attractlovekeeplove.com for more information.

 

 

Enjoy a Free or Low Cost Valentine’s Day

Oooooooooooo I hear you saying, “How can Valentine’s Day be fun or romantic if I have to stick to a budget?” However, I am telling you “Valentine’s Day does not have to break the bank”.

 

My 7 tips will help you have a low cost or no cost romantic Valentine’s Day.

 

1. Mood Music.  Visit http://www.playlist.com/ and create your own playlist of all your favorite songs. This is a no cost and legal way to download your favorite music. You can play the music from your computer. FREE

 

2. Candles. Visit your local dollar type store and purchase tapers, votives and pillars in various colors. You will also be able to find heart shaped confetti to decorate around the base of the candles. Candles will compliment the mood music. Do not waste money on expensive candles because they will be gone by morning. Try to buy unscented you do not want the scent to clash with your perfume. $5.00

 

3. Picnic. Think about some of your favorite foods. If the climate is right, pack a picnic basket with all your favorite foods and head outdoors. If the weather keeps you indoors spread out your blanket on the floor and have your picnic indoors or on your bed. Wear something sexy so you are dessert.  Get out your good china, silver, and crystal. Use what food is in the cupboard or shop for groceries on a budget.

 

4. Movies. Go to your video store or library and pick up a couple of your favorite date night movies. Watch these snuggled up on the bed or on the sofa after you have devoured your picnic. FREE – $5.00

 

5.  Sexy little something. There is no need to buy something new; you know that stuff never stays on very long. Look in your closet or dresser and pick out something you have not worn in a while. Dab on your favorite perfume. Put on your makeup and do not forget to wear the jewelry he has bought you. FREE

 

6. Bubbly. Don’t forget the bubbly or your favorite beverage. Get out your wedding toasting flutes or your pretty stemware. Make your picnic special by using the “good” stuff. $15.00 or what fits your budget. If you don’t want alcohol have your favorite nonalcoholic beverage in wine glasses or champagne flutes.

 

7. Bubble Bath. Again visit your dollar type store. This is not the time to splurge on expensive bubble bath because you will not probably be in the tub long enough to enjoy it. Splurge and use the entire bottle of bubbles if you want.  Place the candles around the edge of the tub and grab your bubbly to sip. $1.00 for bubble bath.

 

Staying home and creating your own romantic hideaway can be fun and low cost. You will not need to spend hours waiting for a table at your favorite restaurant. You can parade around in as skimpy of an outfit as you want. You can take your time enjoying the evening and each other wherever you want. When you use my seven tips, you will have a very low cost yet romantic Valentine’s Day.

 

Don’t forget to turn off the cell phones, lock the doors, pull the drapes closed, and enjoy your Valentine’s Day.  

 

Coach Jaynine is an author, speaker, and coach. She propels her clients to greatness so they can turn their dreams into reality. Visit her website at www.attractlovekeeplove.com for more information.

Free Dating Websites

This morning on CNN …Clark Howard mentioned the below free dating websites.

www.downtoearth.com

www.okcupid.com

www.plentyoffish.com   I had you used this unsuccessfully in the past.

www.loveaccess.com was a free site when I tried it unsuccessfully years ago.

I met my husband through yahoo personals. We were married on June 21, 2008 are very happy.

Coach Jaynine is an author, speaker, and coach. She propels her clients to greatness so they can turn their dreams into reality. Visit her website at www.attractlovekeeplove.com for more information.

Writing an Online Dating Profile: Part I

This is the first of a 5 part series.

Your profile is where you advertise yourself. 

Integrity is key. Do not mislead or misrepresent yourself to the reader. Post current photos or at a minimum let the observer know the date of your photos. I personally do not think it is appropriate to have pictures of children on your profile. Please use caution. Men do not like it when women post their high school prom photo or year book photo when the woman is over 40 years old. Use current photos. It doesn’t matter how well preserved you are if you are over 40 years old you do not look like your high school year book photo.

This is the time to dust off your old English Textbook. Use proper sentence structure to include capitalizing the first word in a sentence. End all sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use slang or improper grammar unless you truly want to be judged by the image those words project. Do not forget to run spell check. Trust me…if you write a really bad profile people will print it and show all their friends and you will be the laughing stock of that particular dating website.

When writing your profile I highly recommend writing your profile as a word document so that you can run spell check.  You also can then cut and past the word document into the space provided by pressing the control key and the C key simultaneously to copy the document, then put the cursor in the area where you want the document. Press the control key and the V key simultaneously and the document will paste itself into the allotted space. Another advantage of saving your profile as a word document is that you will be able to cut and paste it onto various dating websites or update it as necessary without re-typing the entire document.

If the website has a section for a personal description please be authentic. There is nothing worse than investing time establishing rapport with someone then finally meeting that person only to discover he or she does not look anything like the person described in the online advertisement. This is pointless; starting a relationship based on false information is wrong and just wastes everyone’s time. Also, do not lie about your age. Sooner or later your fibbing will be discovered and the trust will be broken. Everyone is attracted to a certain type so there is nothing wrong with not wanting to date someone shorter than you are or who has a hair color you don’t like etc.

Write your profile with integrity and enjoy the dating experience.

 

Coach Jaynine is an author, speaker, and coach. She propels her clients to take action so they achieve greatness so they can turn their dreams into reality. Visit her website at www.attractlovekeeplove.com for more information.

 

Increase Your Credibility: Part III Nonverbal Communication

How often do you focus on the other person’s nonverbal communication? Are you aware of how you communicate nonverbally? Below are my tips for increasing your credibility through nonverbal communication.

 

Facial Expressions & Gestures

 

Nonverbal communication and behavior can vary between cultures. However, the facial expressions for happiness, sadness, fear, and anger are similar worldwide.

 

•      Pay attention to your face and others. Is it mask-like, stoic, animated, emotionally present showing interest?

•      Is your face showing what you are really thinking? Are you smiling when you really would like to choke the person speaking?

•      Gestures are deliberate movements that communicate a meaning without words. What hand gestures are you making? If someone saw just your hand gestures would they know what was going on?

 

Body Language

•      Posture and movement of your body can convey feelings and attitudes.

•      Most people assume that crossed arms means the person is being defensive and leg crossing is flirting behavior.

•      Most research on body language was conducted in the 1970s and is over interpreted.

•      New research states that body language cues are far more subtle and less definitive than the 1970s research stated.

 

Proxemics

•      Proxemics is commonly known as personal space.

•      The proper distance for personal space is dictated by social norms, situational factors, personal choice, and level of familiarity

•      18 inches to 4 feet is commonly used for having a casual conversation.

•      10 to 12 feet is the distanced used for speaking to a crowd.

•      If you are a poor judge of distance just use the standard…one arm lengths away. Hold your arm out in front of you and that is the distance to stand between people.

 

Eye Gaze

•      Staring, rapid blinking, down cast eyes all are nonverbal communication behaviors.

•      Eyes can give away what the person is really thinking. Have you ever seen someone’s eyes smiling while the rest of their face was stoic?

•      Eye contact can be considered evasive or confrontational and intimidating.

•      Communication experts state that the normal interval of eye contact should last 4 to 5 seconds.

•      Good eye contact is not STARING into the other persons eyes.

 

Haptics

•      Haptics is communicating through touch.

•      This can be a hug and we all know there are variations to a hug. Each hug can have a different meaning.

•      Touching someone on the shoulder or a slap on the back all convey meaning.

•      Stroking of the hair is considered flirtatious.

 

Appearance

•      Your choice of clothing, hairstyle, and clothing color all make a statement about you.

 

 

10 Tips for Nonverbal Communication Success

 

•      Pay attention to the other persons Nonverbal Signals.

•      Look for spoken words and nonverbal communication that don’t match.

•      Focus on your tone and pitch when speaking.

•      Employ good eye contact.

•      Ask for clarifications for nonverbal communication.

•      Use verbal and nonverbal communication congruently.

•      If you are speaking to a group survey the group for everyone’s nonverbal behavior.

•      Always consider the situation and context someone is talking.

•      Recognize that signals can be misinterpreted

•      Practice, practice, practice

 

Mind Your Own Business: Grow Your Business Now

Two years ago retired Marine, Jaynine Howard, traded in her combat boots to help others catch their dreams. On January 24, 2009, Dream Catcher, Howard’s small business coaching, mentoring and consulting company, is set to join forces with three dynamic coaches from Virginia and New York to help Small Business Owners welcome in the new year. In addition, Microsoft has just announced that they will be the sponsor for the conference and future conferences, which are held around the United States.

 

Coach Howard says her clients are “small business owners who are ready to take their business to the next level.  My clients are willing to learn how to create a winning mindset, develop their presence in the community so they are known as the expert, get comfortable with delegating to increase productivity, and outsource tasks.   For them, it’s their chance to also learn practical strategies that they can use to solve everyday challenges.” 

 

Coach Howard capitalizes on her military experience and the knowledge gained while pursuing her PhD in Psychology as she works with dynamic business owners.  Sessions are conducted via telephone and the internet thus allowing clients to save travel, time and money by not having to take time off work or leave home. 

 

Coach Howard is a member of the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce, the American Psychological Association, 24/7 Coaching, and Coachville. To learn more about these dynamic Coaches and to register for the Mind Your Own Business: Grow Your Business Now Conference visit her website at www.myobworkshop.com .

Increase Your Credibility: Improve Your Verbal Communication Skills

Whether you want to admit or not you judge people on their use of the English language and your ability to understand their accent. We often assume (very wrong) that someone is uneducated if we cannot understand what they are saying; if they have a regional accent. We also make stereotypes based upon the slang the person uses. The worst faux pas is attempting to use words you cannot pronounce or you use a word that is just not appropriate. People can spot someone trying to be someone they are not. Below are my tips to help you increase your credibility when you are speaking.

15 Tips for Improving Your

Communication Skiills

 

1.       Develop your voice—if you have a high whiney voice research says you are often seen as being helpless and playing the victim role. Researchers recommend that you practice singing an octave lower than your normal voice.

2.       Slow down – fast talkers are often perceived as nervous and unsure of themselves or as someone trying to sell you something.

3.       Animate your voice – not like a Disney character. Avoid being boring and monotone; smile when you talk. Practice raising and lowering your pitch when you talk.

4.       Enunciate – speak clearly, don’t mumble. Move your mouth when you speak.

5.       Use the Appropriate Volume – soft or low volume when sitting close to someone and a louder volume when speaking to a large group.

6.       Pronounce your words correctly. If you cannot pronounce it correctly don’t use it.

7.       Be authentic and use the right word – we all know people that use big words to try and impress us. It doesn’t work does it;  we aren’t impressed.

8.       Make eye contact – if you are nervous making eye contact ….keep your eyes focused on scanning the persons T zone (the person will think you are looking at him or her). Don’t do it too fast though you make look like you are being silly.

9.       Use hand gestures – use small hand gestures for small groups and large hand gestures for large groups. Hand gestures help get your meaning across.

10.   Don’t send mixed messages – ensure your hand gestures and facial expressions match what your words are saying. Don’t be delivering bad news by smiling; the person will think you are joking.

11.   Read out loud daily

12.   Tape your conversations and listen to yourself

13.   Watch other people’s reactions to you as you speak

14.   Ask for feedback

15.   Breath

 

Verbal Communication Tips that ADD CREDIBILITY

 

1.       Avoid unnecessary laughter.

2.       Don’t end statements with a question – use a period- bring your voice down.

3.       Say what you want to say and don’t apologize for saying it.

4.       Place emphasis on key words.

5.       Avoid qualifiers – I think, I believe, If you aren’t too busy, could you help me instead of I need help – they take away confidence.

6.       Avoid fillers – umm, aaa, ugh – if you don’t know what to say just stay silent

7.       Avoid throat clearing, shaky voice.

8.       Move your mouth as you speak – this keeps you from mumbling for talking to fast.

9.       Speak at the correct volume.

10.   Know your audience and your subject matter and be authentic.

 

When you improve your communication skills you will increase your productivity and credibility. You will be seen as the expert in the community.

 

 

I’ve died and gone to heaven- enjoying stuffed apple pancakes at Renee’s Courthouse Caffe in #JaxNC. She is located downtown#JacksonvilleNC

I shouldn’t type when stuffing my face with pancakes…sorry about that typo…let’s try again

I’ve died and gone to heaven- enjoying stuffed apple pancakes at Renee’s Courthouse Caffe in #JaxNC. She is located downtown#JacksonivlleNC

I’m not sure I should be starting the day off watching Paula Deen…I think she is activating my sweet tooth.

Miss Savanna & I just finished a yummy lunch. I love whoever invented the crockpot. Now she is waiting for ice cream time : )

Silly me…I smelled something yummy & thought maybe a neighbor was cooking (windows are open) then I walked into the kitchen&saw crockpot

Good Morning Everyone. Make it a great day and avoid hanging out with the Negative Nelly’s. Hang out with the Positive Polly’s : )

Is anyone in #JAXNC, #ILM, #MHC hiring auto mechanics? My client is ASE A6 certd, HAZMAT EM 101 certifd, NCState Saftey&Emission Inspectr

Enjoy your morning. I’m headed to an early morning MAC Meeting in #MHC.

If I go by what is on my Google calendar I have an easy day. If I follow my To Do List I will be busy every minute of the day.