Bolder!

No More Excuses

Eleanor Roosevelt once famously said "You must do the thing you think you cannot do."  

Barack Obama just did the thing we thought he couldn't do and last Tuesday, we celebrated THAT victory. But something else happened in that moment of inauguration and I wonder how many of us noticed.

His success took away all our excuses. 

When he stood in front of that enormous crowd and repeated the oath of office, he proved anyone can do anything they truly believe in if they are willing to take on the challenge. If he could become the first black President of the United States then what holds us back from our dreams?

Too often we tell ourselves stories about why we cannot do a thing. We say that we simply can't, or someone won't let us or that society is against us. If we stop there, we have allowed fear to stop us.

But when we get clear on and claim our unique purpose in this world, when we courageously step up and take the next step and the next, we cannot be stopped. Yes, there may be sacrifices. There may be dark hours of doubt and fear, but each deliberate action joined to deliberate intention moves us into the role we are meant to fill.

Barack Obama's victory places a huge responsibility on all of us to let go of fear and create the change we were put here to create. Its' time to let go of our excuses and try. The worlds needs this from everyone of us.

He's doing his part. What's yours?

Mentors - Finding the Right Fit

Last week I talked about the watercolour class I'm taking and how it's teaching me about business. Here's another 'Aha!’ to help you create the purpose-led business you’re looking for.

Find someone experiencing the success you want and learn from them.

I know that sounds pretty obvious but for a long time I missed the most important ingredient of the formula - get clear on what success means to you on a deep, personal level before you ever choose a guide.

I have taken watercolour courses in the past and had a measure of success but I’d never been completely satisfied with the results. Because of that I never followed up my learning with practice. What was the point if I didn’t like what I produced? I’d make a great start but my paints and brushes were soon gathering dust on a shelf again.

Ever have that happen with a new business idea or practice? You’re all gungho and jump right in. Then somewhere along the line, reality doesn’t quite match up with what you envisioned. You could muscle your way through, even meet with a certain measure of success but you still sense something is out of kilter.

It wasn’t until I “found” Karen Richardsonon a local studio tour that I realized what I’d overlooked in the past.  Karen’s work reflects the level of detail I love but it's not so ‘un-painterly’ that it appears to be a photo - exactly the way I wanted my own work to look.

Up to that point, I hadn’t paid much attention to the style of my previous teachers. They hadn’t reflected my vision of what I wanted in a successful painting. I could emulate my teacher’s composition but I didn’t learn the skills I needed to continue on my own because I wasn't headed in the right direction. I learned from them, yes, but not everything I needed to produce something that felt right to me.

Always start with the end in mind.

Because Karen’s more advanced vision parallels what I long to produce myself, I’m finally headed in the right direction. I’m not looking to produce exact copies of her work but rather to build on what she teaches me. By starting from mutually held values - a love of detail and colour – I’m gaining the confidence and skills I need to work on my own and still produce the results I want.

The same holds true in business and life. Before you choose a mentor to follow, take a good look first at your own values and vision. What do you really want?  Define this as clearly as you can but don’t get discouraged if it feels a little vague at first. Even knowing what you don’t want is a positive step.

Begin where you are and refine your answers as you discover what works and what doesn't. When you’ve got some idea of what you want, look at the possible mentors in your field. Ask others for recommendations. 

As you consider your choice for a mentor, are they succeeding in a way that reflects your vision?

If they are, then they have something to share that will be of value to you. You aren't looking to become them, simply learn from them. It's HOW they are working and producing that interests you. Can they help you build a practical foundation of skills that will take you where you want to go?

Finally, ask yourself if this person is far enough ahead of you on the road to be a real mentor? Karen Richardson is an accomplished artist and she makes me stretch. Her skill is an ideal to aim for while I create my personal style.

Someone operating at your own level is a peer. Although they may be fun as a traveling companion what you’re looking for is experience. A peer probably won't know the potholes and shortcuts any more than you do.

If you intend to build a business that reflects your unique passion, purpose and values, find the mentor who is right for you – one who understands what you want to achieve because she shares a similar vision. 

Excuse me now while I go work on my latest painting.

Posted - No Phishing

Phishing is a scam where Internet fraudsters send spam or pop-up messages to lure personal and financial information from their unsuspecting victims. Here are some tips on how to avoid taking the bait.

1. Never reply to email or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information.

Never click on links in a suspicious message. What does suspicious look like? Bad grammar and misspellings are a dead giveaway but some of these emails look legitimate but Paypal will never ask you to click on a link to update your account information and neither will your bank or other reputable institution. And Bill Gates is NOT going to give you a free computer.

Never cut and paste a link from a suspicious message into your Web browser, either. Phishers can make links look like they go one place and then send you to a different site, all without you being aware of it.

Know who you're dealing with. Some emails will ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a "refund." In order to contact an organization you do business with, call only the number on your statements or credit card. Never email personal or financial information.

Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges.

Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly.

FIGHT BACK. Many institutions post an email address where you can forward phishing emails that impersonate them. You can also report phishing email to reportphishing@antiphishing.org. The Anti-Phishing Working Group is made up of ISPs, security vendors, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies who will use your report to help fight phishing.

Yes, You Can

I'm taking a water colour class and learning a lot about life and business as I play with brushes and colour.

 

Most adults, when we try a new skill, bring unrealistic expectations to the table. We want a masterpiece right out of the gate. We don't give ourselves permission to be a beginner. I'm no different.

 

At one point during a painting session I felt impatience and discouragement. "I'll never get this" was the story I told myself. 

 

I could have quit but I wanted this skill. So I changed my inner dialog to "It doesn't have to be perfect." I kept practicing and, in the end, was actually pleased with the results.

 

When you try something new and you're feeling discouraged with your progress, make the choice that honours your dream and your purpose. You can't give up. It's too important.

 

Give yourself permission and the time to learn. Recognise that you're after progress - not perfection. You'll build your 'success muscle' as you stretch yourself into briliance.