Bolder!

Some Simple Answers

 One of the big questions I encounter when I speak to business women is how to leverage the internet. There is so much coming at them and it always seems to be changing that they don't know where to begin. And oh yes, add in a healthy dose of skepticism about the social networking tools and their application to a business setting.

It seems no one is answering the basic questions  - just what do I need and why? We want some simple answers so we know what to focus on. We don't have time or resources to waste. And we don't need one more item on a long to do list.

The trick, of course, is knowing what is valuable and what you can leave alone. What's really useful and what is just the ‘flavor of the month’? Nobody wants to invest a lot of time and money in training or services only to find out it’s not what you need!

What you do need is someone to cut through the hype. You want straight information in plain English in a quick format so you can make informed decisions that work for you and your business.

That’s why my Business Builder Series is just the ticket. I have over 25 years in the technology field. I was on the internet before there was even a world wide web. And I'm a coach and mentor to small business people. As a small business person myself, I understand the limits of time and budget as well as the questions you have.

My new Business Builder Series wasn't designed to be an in-depth training course but rather a place to get some information and your questions answered. The cost is reasonable ($40 per course or get a deal by taking all 5) and it won’t take a lot of your time. Plus you can choose between a live workshop or a teleseminar.

Think of it as a taste spoon, like those little pink ones you get at the ice cream shop. A sample of what's available removes the guesswork and uncertainty.

To find out more just click here.

Courage in Action

I've been playing with the idea of "boldness" a lot lately. I find it resonates with many of my readers.  Last month we explored it during the Bolder Women series and I had women join the calls from all over the world. Most of us long for bolder lives.

  To me, bold means more than getting past my fears. It's seeing courage come to life in actions. To live boldly isn't something that's invisible to those around us. Boldness makes an impact. Boldness has power to create change.

So let's stop talking about self-improvement. Instead, let's talk about what we as women are up to in this world. What is the change you want to create? What are you meant to be up to while you're on this planet?

Big questions, I know but I'm convinced they reflect the underlying longing we each have for significance. Self-improvement is just a way to distract ourselves because it feels like we're up to something. But we weren't put here to just work on our selves. We, each one of us, has a purpose and a responsibility and we were born with the tools we need to meet that responsibility. I also believe we live our most joy-filled and full-filled lives when we get up to being on purpose.

In my own quest I found as answer. My purpose for being here is to help women like you make a difference in your world. It's time for me to claim it and take bold action!

So you'll be reading a lot more about this subject on this blog. And if you're a Christian woman of spirit, visit my new blog at aprillejanes.typepad/bolder_spirit as well. Some of the posts will look similar but I will be writing from a more spiritually-based value system.
 
You may also want to set aside the weekend of October 2-4, 2009.  I'm putting together a 3-day retreat for "Bolder Women on Purpose". Details to come soon but space is going to be limited to ensure a rich experience for everyone who attends. If you want to get your name on the list now, drop me an email and I'll send you advance notice when registration opens.

Missed Connections

I love gadgets. Just ask my husband. He calls me the Geek Goddess because I love playing with this stuff and taking advantage of something that promises efficiency. It's music to my organized little heart.

Ah, but there's the rub. What do we actually DO with the time we save? I don't know about you but if I'm not paying attention I simply fill it with more work, more chores, more should's and ought's. Those of you with a 'real job' (AKA a boss who wants you available 24/7) have a whole other set of expectations to deal with.

I once consulted for a company that insisted it's executives take their laptops, pagers and cell phones on family vacations! I'd shake my head as those poor souls trudged off to enjoy their 'down time'. Just last February, I watched a father walking through DisneyWorld with his kids who were desperately trying to have fun with their dad. Instead, he grew irritated with them because he was on the phone with his office.

What lesson do you think those kids learned?

And if you think you're more balanced than that, what happened the last time you tried to reach a friend or family member whose cell phone was turned off?   If you found yourself saying something like "Why are you going to carry one, if you're not going to turn it on?" you may need to examine your own beliefs about boundaries and personal space.

It's time to push back a little, to unplug ourselves. I'm not suggesting you get rid of it all. That's not realistic either. But you can declare some Technology-Free Zones in your life. Personally, I've stopped bringing my laptop home from my office in the evenings. (A side benefit - I'm sleeping better because I'm not stimulating my brain right up until lights out.)

I've stopped giving out my cell number except for specific instances, such as meeting a client for the first time and wanting to be sure we connect.

And the time I save when I do use my gadgets? I'm taking back some of it just for me. This week I sat on my deck with my morning coffee and journal. I gave myself full permission to enjoy the springtime. 

Want to join me on my deck and bring some sanity back into your own schedule? You can, you know. Just join me on July 10 for "The Time of Your Life." Click here to find out more.

And if you say you don't have time - well, think about what you just said...

Time

It's been a week since I posted! Like many of you, time slips away on me when other priorities step in and push aside my regular schedule. Last week I was traveling and simply had to let go of some of my expectations to be present to the moment.

I find I live 'in the future' much too often. I'm always planning, scheduling, putting together programs and other such tasks. Perhaps it's my training and years as a project manager but I don't think so. Not as I talk to many of you out there. There is something about our culture that flings us always forward and we don't get to enjoy the here and now. 

When I got in the car with my husband my laptop was on the backseat, ready for me to open and start designing the web pages I needed for a new program series I have coming up. And I almost did that until I realized what a beautiful spring day it was and that it would never happen again. The laptop stayed where it was and I sat back to enjoy our journey.

One of my priorities is to pay attention to the beauty around me. Nature feeds my soul and keeps me connected to Something Bigger than me.

If you've been to one of my Life Time workshops or heard me speak on the subject you know I stress priorities over tasks, even the urgent ones. Want to enjoy your own spring day? Here's what I recommend.

1. Get clear on what's important, truly important to you. These should be broad definitions such as "relationships".

2) List 2-3 things in those areas that you want to accomplish. Maybe in the area of relationships you'd like to spend more time with your partner.

3) Now choose one of those items on your list and put it in your calendar. In my example it might look like "Movie Date" on Tuesday evening.

These are just broad guidelines. If you`d really like help to identify your priorities and make them a part of everything you do then register for my `Time of Your Life` workshop on July 10. Not only will you get a chance to learn my secrets but you`ll get a day by the lake AND 30 minutes of private coaching with me.

To find out more more visit my website at www.aprillejanes.com/lifetime.htm