© Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
www.ForWomenEntrepreneurs.com

Last night,  I was facilitating one of my “Conversation Clinics.”  (Those are online and onsite groups that help participants with how to best manage current issues in their lives and businesses.)  And, last night, the conversation turned to living the values one professes to hold in day-to-day business.

I told them about a corporate group I had worked with in the afternoon. This is a team in trouble and the last resort was to call me in to “fix” things.  I facilitated conversations and offered training and coaching for three months. Yesterday was the last session.  The participants were very unhappy to know it was the last session. They asked the boss in attendance why that was so. His response:

“I cared enough about this team to bring in the best person I could to bring about the changes that are necessary. She gave you the tools, the insights and strategies that would make the differences required. I know she did because I have been here with you.  In three months, you have received all this information and not one thing has changed.  So, Dr. Shaler, tell them what you think.”

Wow! What a hand-off to me! I was prepared, however, and I said this:

“There is a huge difference between information and knowldge. I gave you the information. Only you can make it knowledge, by internalizing it. Only you can take responsiblity for turning information into knowledge that is demonstrable in your approach to your work and each other. I believe, from watching your interactions and speaking with each of you privately, that, despite my warnings, you were all waiting for someone else to change. You could take a hundred courses and have piles of handouts, books & DVD’s and they will not make a whit of difference until you integrate the information with who you are and what you choose to do each moment. That is why the boss has withdrawn my services from you. You have done nothing with the information.”

My question to you, dear fellow women entrepreneur: how much information are you spouting that only went from your head to your mouth? Until it goes through your head, heart, thoughts, words and actions, it’s just information. Now is the time to reflect on who you are and who you want to be. Once you know that, for sure, you can decide on how to offer your expertise and experience to the world in ways that are aligned with your vision, values, beliefs and purpose. That’s a integral component of business success and can make all the difference in your success in 2010!

If you want help with that alignment, or, want to ask a question or get feedback on an idea or strategy, you can book a forty-minute (I’m throwing in an extra ten minutes over the usual)  introductory mentoring session for only $59 for new clients. That can really kickstart your business confidently!   Register now at ForWomenEntrepreneurs.com/mentoring/index.htm

Here’s to extrordinary business growth in 2010!
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Consultant. Counselor. Coach. Catalyst.
Success Solutions for Life, Work & Business
www.ForWomenEntrepreneurs.com

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© Rhoberta Shaler, PhD

There is so much buzz about social networking. Everyone wants to teach you all about it and that’s wonderful. This is a very short post to tell you about someone you really need to know if you are serious about social networking. I spent the day with her and a wonderful group of people who are all serious about social networking.

Yes, it’s the buzz.  AND, it’s the buzz that is not going away!   As a follower of my blog…which I hope you are…you know I seldom introduce you to anyone. There’s a good reason for that. I only refer people that I can unabashedly endorse.  So, meet Sabrina Gibson!  She will teach you more about social networking in a free session that many others can see to get together in a paid seminar.

Sabrina’s website: http://SmartandSticky.com
Find her on Facebook: http://Facebook.com/sabrinagibson
Follow her on Twitter: http://Twitter.com/sabrinagibson

You’ll be glad you did.  And, if I didn’t say it loud enough before:  SHE’S AMAZING!

To your success!
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Consultant. Counselor. Coach. Catalyst.
http://www.Rhoberta.com

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©  Rhoberta Shaler, PhD

Have you noticed how easy it is to lose focus, or, am I a lone ranger in this department?   I have a good business plan, a workable marketing plan, a passion for what I’m doing and excellent skills, yet, there are days!!!  So, I had to do something to get me quickly on track the minute I recognized possible derailment.

Across from my desk, on the wall above my monitor, I put a white board. It lists the MUST-DO’s in three columns: daily, weekly, bi-weekly.  That way, I have a visual check-list that keeps me focused.  That helps with the regular tasks. All tasks also pop-up in Outlook and that is where I keep the monthly ones, too.

Now, I had to have a good think about how to avoid distractions.  First, I listed the rabbit holes I was familiar with, the places that drew my attention with no return on investment.

• Ah, yes, let’s consider the magnetic attraction of Law & Order and other things that are “only for an hour.”  OK, keep the covering on the TV during the day.  Check.
• How many times a day do I check email, or Facebook, or Twitter, or…..?   Streamline that to three times a day. Check.
• What is the draw to the kitchen?  I’m certainly not hungry but it beckons. Eat protein and vegetables three times a day with a little…I mean, a little…carb because I know that keeps me out of the cupboards. Check.
• Do I really need to answer the phone WHEN it rings?  No, let them realize I’m busy.  I’ll return calls twice a day. Check.

Hmmmm….now, I’m free to focus on the list of  tasks that build and maintain my business.  Now, that wasn’t so difficult, was it?  All it took was the willingness to pay attention.

What tips can you share about maintaining focus on what matters most to your business?

To your success!
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Consultant. Counselor. Coach. Catalyst.
…Coaching you to create the aligned life & livelihood that fulfills you.
www.ForWomenEntrepreneurs.com

Join my groups, For Women Entrepreneurs, on Facebook and LinkedIn.  You are welcome!

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©  Rhoberta Shaler, PhD

Whether we define our success in terms of quality of life, joy in relationships, fame, recognition or piles of money, the first step in creating it…aside from buying a lottery ticket…is to consciously evaluate our alignment.  I know I have to do this on a regular basis in order to stay in the flow.  I expect you do, too.

There is so much talk about values and yet, I know that with my mentoring clients and seminar participants, actually coming to grips with those values is seldom done. How do I  know I value something in reality?  I demonstrate it in my daily life, in my thinking, speaking and behaving.  Otherwise, it’s just talk!

The other day, working with a group, I asked them to quickly name the top four things they valued in life. In fact, I gave them ten seconds only.  No one could do it.  The reason why not is that they’d had never taken the time for themselves to actually figure it out. And, yes, they could talk the talk with ease!

When we wrote on the back cover of our book, Soul Solitude: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up, that ‘YOU MATTER,” we really meant it.  And, unless we treat ourselves as if that is true, we are kidding ourselves.  I ask myself this question:

“How have I demonstrated to myself today that I matter? Have I taken care of my health? Spent time in reflection with inspiring books or in meditation? Fed my soul? Made time for relationships that I value? Worked in a focused way following my business plan? “

The answer tells the whole story.  If my life is not centered around my vision, values, beliefs and purpose, I may be wildly off track and likely chasing dollar bills while living up to someone else’s expectations.

When I begin work with a new mentoring client or mentoring group of members , one of the first exercises is to work with values. When we have wrestled with that, there is sufficient clarity to move on with life, love and focused livelihood. I know the value of consciously aligning life for success.  I invite you to take the time to do so, too.

*  When you are ready to accelerate your progress and improve your life or business, consider an individual or group mentoring program with me.  Working on the telephone for three months together can change everything…and get you back in the flow in every way.  Visit www.ForWomenEntrepreneurs.com and call me soon.  I’d love to work with you to create the life, love and livelihood that fulfills you.

To your success.
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Consultant. Counselor. Coach. Catalyst.
…leading you to the life, love & livelihood that fulfills you & serves the life of the world.
www.SoulWiseWays.com
Dr. Shaler is the founder of the Optimize Institute & Spiritual Living Network
Work with her directly to accelerate your success in life, love & business.

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© Rhoberta Shaler, PhD

Monday morning, first thing. What do you do when you set yourself to working on your business?  You’ve had your coffee, supported yourself with what feeds you physically, mentally and spiritually, and now you’re ready to get to work.  What do you do?

For many folks, the first thing Monday morning would be a create a “to-do” list. But there is something more important than that: review your business and marketing plans.

“What do you mean?  I already know what’s there. I can just jump in.”

“Not so fast, grasshopper. Take the time to remind yourself of who you are, what you do, where you’re going and how you have planned to get there. Then, decide what is the BEST thing to do today!”

It’s not just what is the next thing to do. It’s what is the next best thing to do. Without the clarity of remembering your carefully thought-out  plan and referring to it at least weekly, you can get mired in activity and miss the progress!

To Your Success!
Rhoberta
P.S. Need help with aligning your values, beliefs, vision and purpose with your business and it’s planning?  That’s what I help you with.  Visit www.ForWomenEntrepreneurs.com and let’s start working together to get you the progress and results you want.  Group or Individual Coaching is available for you to jumpstart your plan.

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Consultant. Counselor. Coach. Catalyst.
…leading you to the life & livelihood you long for.
www.ForWomenEntrepreneurs.com

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