Entrepreneur Women Coaching and Training's Blog

Living a purpose driven life in 2010

What would you think if I tell you that you can too live a purpose driven life?

Purpose is not more than just the engine that drives our lives into the direction that we want. Then the question becomes, Do you know what is that you want from your life?

With less than a week until we start a new year, what do you think if you can start living once and for all a purpose driven life, where not only:

1. You know what you want from life,

2. The reasons why you want those things

3.  But you also have a plan on how to achieve them

I encourage you to imagine your future without limitations, to find your purpose and passion.  Allow yourself to be perfectly imperfect and dare to dream beyond your comfort zone.

Remember that everything in life is a choice, and yet, when this may sound harsh, because perhaps you don't like what your life looks like right now; it should give you the hope that you can change your future. 

Think about life, like you would of a cone of ice cream from Cold Stone, you have so many choices and possible combinations, and yet when you get to the register, even though you are hesitant  you must put your order.  At that time, one of two things will happen:

1. You love your ice cream, so it becomes your favorite choice and you'll keep coming back and always asking for the exact same combination.

2. You don't love it so much or you hate it.  The good news, you can always come back and try something new and different, knowing now which combination you didn't like already.

Take the time to dream about your future, and allow yourself to make that dream come true, by living a purpose driven life.

Entrepreneur Women Coaching and Training, "Helping Women Achieve their Dreams"

Self Motivation Tips: How to be the best version of yourself

What a better way to continue with my self motivation tips than encouraging you to be the best version of yourself, or so I thought!

I want you to remember that you were purposefully created, and created for a purpose; and you are reading this right now because you want to become a better version of your self and that's why you are looking for self motivation tips, or am I wrong?

You didn't come to this word to become the best version of your parents, or friends, or siblings, or colleagues, and when you are trying to fulfill those rolls it's inevitable that your self confidence collapse and you get that feeling of being lost and empty.  So when that happens, just remember that the only shoes you have to fill are yours!

Life is not about doing or having, is about becoming.  Could you have a better dream for yourself that becoming a better version of yourself?  I ask you.

When you focus your energy on fulfilling "the becoming" vs. the having or doing; our lives are flooded with energy, enthusiasm, passion, purpose and real and sustainable self motivation.

If you feel like you need some self motivation tips, I want you to ask yourself this question:  Are you celebrating your true self, or are you still trying to be the person you think other people want you to be?

Now, the million dollar question: How do you become a better version of yourself?

1. Acknowledge you are not perfect!  This is a big one, but once you come to realize your imperfections, you will be in much better shape work on them.
2. Learn to differentiate which imperfections are part of your true self and which ones are distortions.  For example, if you are not a details person, that's ok as long as you don't use that as an excuse to be negligent about your commitments, a good calendar will fix this problem.  But if you are rude, that for sure isn't making you a best version of anything.
3. Learn to cope with being Perfectly Imperfect.  For example, a tree doesn't try to make all his branches grow straight, as it's perfect in its imperfection. 

Self motivation tips for women entrepreneurs

The first thing that you should recognize is that no one can motivate you, but yourself.  All I can do though, is give you the reasons, keys, tactics and steps that you can use as self motivation tips.

When the motivation comes from within, a woman is then set up to achieve success, because it's expected to get into downs and lows as you can't expect to be in a thriving high all the time, but when you are good at self motivation, then you will know how to pull yourself out of these black and lonely situations.

A great self motivation tip is to understand the power of our thoughts and realize that you become what you think about.

I can't reinforce enough the power of your thoughts and how they can take your life to greatness or darkness, and only if you knew you had total control over everything in your future, greatness would be always chosen.

Just as when you are driving and don't want to hit the side railing on the highway, the more you think about the railing, the more likely that you will be to hit that railing.  If instead you focus on where you want to go, and driving straight, then you will be fine.

Like I'm sure you've heard before:  Keep your eyes on the ball, and the goal!

Be aware of the power that your thoughts have over your life.  Start today by initiating a new habit in your daily routine: Allow your positive thoughts and dreams to energize your future.  Think as if you have already accomplished your goals.  Enjoy the success and build upon it.

I practice my own self motivation tips all the time.  I've learned what cues and thoughts will pull me into a state of personal power, then I access this state whenever I feel like I need an extra push.  This is something very powerful to do.  In fact, I help my clients to be able to get into this state on demand, because I know the power attached to it and the wonders that could be achieved when you feel invincible.

Think greatness and you will become that!

My passion is to help women entrepreneurs, what's yours?

You may thing this is an usual title, but it's only the truth!  I'm so passionate about what I do, that when I am working at crazy hours of the night, I really don't mind; in fact I love to do so, because I love what I do.

How different will be your life if you can love what you do for living so much, that you won't ever call it a job again?

For me, helping women entrepreneurs achieve their dreams is not a job; but the most fulfilling and powerful professional experience that I've had in my entire career, and yes, the money just follows because my passion shines through when I talk to clients and they know I really care about them to the point of checking regularly with them outside our coaching calls.

And you may be thinking that I'm lucky and you just don't have nothing to be that "passionate" about... my answer to you, FALSE!!! 

Everyone has something to be passionate about, everyone has a purpose in life; the only difference is that some of us have found it, and some others haven't.

How do you find your passion?

For some women can be as easy as doing the following:

1. List in a piece of paper all your hobbies

2. List also all the things that you are irritated with; for example having to wash cloth diapers (how do you think the cloth diaper service came to life).

3. List all the things you have experience at or you are knowledgeable about

4. List all the areas that you  wouldn't mind researching about

5. Compare these lists and see what comes up

6. Do you believe there is a market for your idea?

Remember, most great ideas have come up after a big disappointment or hobbies.

If you are thinking of an online business, wordtracker or google adwords can help you figure out the demand for your concept, but also you can check out SBI which is the product I used to create and host my own website and I recommend it to everyone, as it has no comparison out there.

Everyone has a passion and with the internet every passion has its customers!

Don't give up, live your dreams.

On Financial Independence for women entrepreneurs

I just finished my newsletter for December, remember my  Free Christmas Gift to my subscriber and the topic for this month is Financial Independence.

Why? Because most women seem to be either driven by it, or hung up on it. What I mean is that the number one reason for women to start their own business is to achieve financial independence, paradoxically, money is the number one reason stopping women from achieving their dreams of starting their own businesses.

I know you won't want to miss these three fantastic articles on the topic of becoming Financially Independent, especially tailored for Women Entrepreneurs; so you have until 1:00pm ET on Dec 21,2009 to sign up for the newsletter; because it'll go out to it's subscribers shortly after that.

I hope you take action towards achieving your goals!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

Carmen  Shearer

Entrepreneur Women Coaching and Training, LLC

Benefits of Business Coaching

Have you ever wonder what are the benefits of business coaching ?

Many women don't realize the multiple benefits of business coaching and how it can impact all areas of their lives.

Although there are many benefits, here I  have listed the 10 top benefits of business coaching :

1. Focus:

You concentrate on what’s truly important in business, in relationships and in life.

2. Clarity:

You draw clearer distinctions regarding present behaviors, intentions, situations and future directions.

3. Direction:

You see new possibilities in front of you and determine which one to pursue.

4. Communication:

You learn to make clear declarations, requests and offers.

5. Increase your Inner Strength:

You maximize your skills and preferences to produce the desired impact and outcome.

6. Accountability:

You invest yourself fully into the process of achieving professional and personal mastery.

7. Financial Hardiness:

You create a sound financial vision and then live it.

8. Balance:

You create balance between work, relationships and other priorities.

9.  Available Time:

You prioritize your activities so that you have a sense that time is plentiful.

10. Energy:

You decrease the stress in your life as you practice dealing with situations and people for effectively.

For more information about the benefits of Business Coaching go to my website

Christmas entrepreneur ideas for women in business

Since we are in the middle of the Christmas season, I thought it would be appropriate to pick your brain by putting this question out there, at the same time that I give you some excellent Christmas entrepreneur ideas.

The question is simple, how do you think you can incorporate the true Christmas spirit into your business?

First, let's talk what is the true Christmas spirit.  As it was defined in a cartoon I was watching with my son yesterday, the true Christmas spirit is when you focus on giving instead of receiving.

An how can you apply this concept into your business and transform it into a many entrepreneur ideas? Simple, by adding these six skills to your existing repertoire on a daily basis.  You will see not only how you will feel renewed, but also how your business will improve and grow as well.

1. Kindness:  Most of you know the Golden Rule: Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. However, Kindness implies that you will take this rule a step forward and apply the Platinum Rule: Treat others as they would like to be treated. This so such a powerful way to get empowered not only by doing something great, but by connecting with your customers in a level most of your competitors aren't.
2. Honesty:  There are many ways that honesty can be looked at, but no matter how you slice it, honesty involves having the integrity to say and do the right thing no matter how difficult.  However, keep in mind that although you must be direct, you must be kind too.  Most people appreciate honesty, especially when their money is playing a role in the equation; and even though you may not close a sell this time, I can almost guarantee you will the next; because honesty pays back and it is one of the most Christmastime entrepreneur ideas you can apply.
3. Humility:  This is defined as the absence of arrogance and the presence of modesty.  It's the ability to put your own achievements into perspective that simultaneously recognizes your own limitations and the strengths of others.  Just think about this, who doesn't like to do business with someone that you know is great at what they do, but it's not arrogant about it?
4. Genuineness: It's being comfortable with ourselves as imperfect humans.  It's like saying: "I'm not perfect neither you are, but guess what I'm not expecting us to be".  Talking about competitive advantage, in a world where everyone wants to be putting on with the Jones... what a better thing to do than being yourself and liking it!
5. Empathy:  This is a bit like caring.  It's basically being able to put yourself in the other people's shoes and feel what they feel.  It does differ from sympathy, as with this last one you are able to intellectually understand what the other person is experiencing, but with empathy you are able to emotionally understand their feelings.  Just imagine how powerful your sell calls can be when you can really put yourself on your client's shoes and understand their concerns, questions and needs and address them as if they were yours.  Think how much your business will grow that way.
6. Self Awareness:  Women entrepreneurs who are self-aware, know their strengths and flows and act to improve their skills.  They're aware of the effect they have on others.  This is one of the basic principles of Emotional Intelligence and perhaps in my opinion the glue that bonds together these 6 Christmastime entrepreneur ideas.  The best way to become self-aware is by asking feedback!

I invite you incorporate the Christmas Spirit into your business, not only during the Holidays, but all year long.  Use these entrepreneurs ideas and watch your business grow exponentially in 2010!

Time Management challenge: I don't want to think about it now

Why is it that time management is such a hot topic among women entrepreneurs?  The truth is that I still haven't met a woman entrepreneur that hasn't put everyone else first at some point of her life; and when this happens often enough to be interpreted by the brain as common behavior, it becomes very difficult to start allowing some time for herself for dealing with more challenging things like starting a new business.

This happens especially when we have to do something that even though is good for us, it doesn't feel that good for us, or we associate pain with the "doing" of that task.

Just consider some of these things:

• You delay submitting your tax return, even though you know you will be able to claim so much money in tax deductions, because you are a business owner.
• You rather spend hours "socializing" on the internet instead of getting to write that article that will get you traffic into your website.
• You have rearrange the office, and clean up your desk instead of picking up the phone and starting on your sales calls for the day.

You may say that doing your taxes is boring, writing an article is tedious; but I will tell you that so it is to clean your office instead of calling your clients, but when people feel they may get a little confrontation with others, it's always more easy to fall into the procrastination mode.

However, the longer you postpone confrontations, the worse the situations usually get; and by the time you are force to address it, all the reasons you hate confrontation are sure to be magnified.

For more time management tips go to our website.

Time management challenge - I have plenty of time

It's easy to justify the idea that you don't have to start on a project when its completion date isn't for some time off. 

Sending Christmas cards to your clients and prospects.  Yes, it's only December 10th, but before you know it it's going to be the 25th of December and you are going to be late.

This should be at the top of your priority list right now, because you need to decide what card to send, who will receive your cards, address them, put them in the mail and wait 3-5 for your recipients to get them, hopefully before 12/25.  Can you see how 12 days may not be enough time.

However, procrastinators then to cling to the "I have enough time" way past the point of manageability, which creates stress in your personal and business life.

I will finish my Christmas Cards right after sending this post, when will you finish yours, maybe post that here for the fun of it!

Time Management Challenge #1 - Procrastination

Most people, including women entrepreneurs think that they postpone unpleasant when indulging procrastination, but the fact is, putting things off carries a lot of emotional unpleasantness.  Boiled down to its purest form, procrastination is simply deferring or delaying actions.  f course, it's not that simple.  

Understanding what provokes procrastination and how it affects you and your time management plan; is the first step in overcoming the impulses that keep you from moving forward and becoming a successful woman entrepreneur.

Recognizing this time management challenge isn't always easy, as you may believe you are just waiting for the right time to get started...

Check out this list to find out if you are indulging procrastination in your life:

1. You think you have plenty of time.
2. You don't want to think about IT right now
3. You are worried and scared about taking action
4. You think you better wait until the right time
5. You feel like you deserve a break right when you are the busiest
6. You belief you work best under pressure

If any of these six behaviors are present in your life or business at the moment, you are dealing with procrastination and self sabotaging.

Stay tuned a discussion on each one of these six behaviors.