3 Tips to Boost Your Daily Productivity
3 Tips to Boost Your Daily Productivity
3 Tips to Boost Your Daily Productivity
Have you finally come to the realization that you need to boost your daily productivity? If you have come to the point of admitting you have problems with self-discipline and you’re determined to finally overcome this, celebrate this step. It’s a clear indicator that you have reached a significant milestone.
I remember when I reached that milestone. It was eye-opening, because I thought that I was being very productive. However, when I reviewed my actual production it fell short of my goals. I had fallen into the perfectionist trap.
Today I will share with you three tips (including avoiding the perfectionist trap) to help you boost your daily productivity and achieve your daily goals.
1. Avoid the Perfectionist Trap
Do you finally finish a project, but when you start proofing it or testing it, you think of one more way it can be improved? Then you think of another. Then you research another. Before you know it, you’ve practically rewritten or redesigned the beast and you’re scrambling to meet deadlines (your own, or client-driven ones.)
Learn step back and say “STOP! This is done” by deciding in advance to do so. (It’s easier than you think.)
2. Don’t Punish Yourself for Success
If you finish a project early, resist the urge to immediately fill it with another one. That’s like punishing yourself for being super-efficient and leads to stress and burnout – no matter how keen you are on your business.
Instead, reward yourself with a well-earned dose of self-care. Read a book. Watch a movie. Sit in the garden for the afternoon. Get your hair done.
3. Learn to Switch Off
It’s a proven fact that the most burned-out people are those whose mind is always on their business. That’s a paradox for most entrepreneurs, but talk to any top, seven-figure entrepreneur and you’ll find that ninety-nine per cent of this elite category have no trouble shutting the office door at a certain point every day.
And running on empty won’t make you more efficient. It will just undermine the quality of your work and increase stress.
Conclusion
If you are ready to boost your daily productivity, then follow the three tips I have shared with you today.
- Avoid the Perfectionist Trap
- Don’t Punish Yourself for Success
- Learn to Switch Off
For more tips on boosting your daily productivity, click here for the Daily Discipline for Entrepreneurs™ e-book.
At My Biz Dream Team, we can show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals.
Check out The Special Report and Training Guide: Building Your Business Dream Team™.
Let us show you how to reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, marketing strategist, and speaker, helping you create the life of your dreams as you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
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Shifting Your Mindset for Prosperity and Success
Shifting Your Mindset for Prosperity and Success
Shifting Your Mindset for Prosperity and Success
Shifting your mindset for prosperity and success may sound daunting. However, by practicing a few habits you can begin transforming your life.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a prosperous and successful entrepreneur? Do you wonder what prosperous and successful entrepreneurs do or know that makes them so different from everyone else?
As you know, entrepreneurs are different from everyone else because we get to make the rules we live by. The trouble is, however, that many entrepreneurs still live by rules that others make. These rules often do not work well and keep them from prosperity and success.
Today I want to share with you what I have learned from being in business for several years and from talking to dozens of my colleagues. To become a prosperous and successful entrepreneur I had to learn to enlarge my capacity and change the habits that no longer worked for me. My colleagues had to make the same changes. We had to begin shifting our mindset for prosperity and success.
Here are 7 mindset practices that Dexter and I, and other successful entrepreneurs use to replace those old habits that kept us stuck. Once you begin to practice these new habits, you find yourself shifting your mindset for prosperity and success.
1. Use Affirmations Effectively
To begin shifting your mindset for prosperity and success, learn to use affirmations effectively.
If affirmations have not worked for you in the past, consider the fact that you may be investing your energy and hope into (1) unrealistic ones you do not really believe in or (2) generic affirmations that are too vague and broad-ranging.
The key to making affirmations effective is two-fold:
• Be specific. Take your affirmation from pie-in-the-sky platitude to something you can achieve.
• Make sure you believe in the message.
Anyone can say: “I am a millionaire right now.” But that is not really an affirmation. That is wishful thinking.
On the other hand, telling yourself daily, “I have a millionaire mindset” can be a powerful boost to your confidence and outlook, if you pair it with a plan of action.
2. Change your Perspective
The next habit to develop as you begin shifting your mindset for prosperity and success is to change your perspective.
Are you a “glass-half-empty” person? If so, call yourself on these negative, doom-and-gloom self-messages. Say,“Oops, that’s a glass-half-empty thought. Let’s turn this around and transform this thought into glass-half-full.”
It may feel contrived and your heart may not be in this little exercise at first, if you have been undergoing stress or challenges in your business or personal life. But if you persevere, you will soon discover that deliberately changing glass-half-empty thoughts to glass-half-full ones increases:
• Gratitude
• Empowerment
• Optimism
• Proactivity
Ultimately you will achieve prosperity and success as you develop the habit of changing your perspective!
Reframe Your Negative Thoughts
3. Reframe Negative Thoughts
Shifting your mindset for prosperity and success, involves learning to reframe negative thoughts.
The damage may be done. A negative family environment or significant relationship may have left you with poor self-esteem or poor processing habits. Or perhaps the damage was caused by that toxic company you worked at for twenty years.
But no matter what caused you to adopt an “I’m doomed, I may as well give up” attitude. You can make the decision to change that thinking today.
You can begin to making a mindset shift for prosperity and success.
One successful technique that psychologists use is called “re-framing”. This is how it works:
• Take a negative, habitual thought
• Filter it in an objective manner through the light of reality
• Replace your negative thought with a positive but realistic, corrected version.
You can do this with any type of thought,business or personal. For example, change “I always fail” with, “I am successful. Sometimes I may make mistakes, but I learn from them.”
4. Avoid “All-or-Nothing” Thinking
One highly destructive self-talk is known in psychological circles as “all-or-nothing thinking”. To ensure you do not do it, watch out particularly for the words “always” or “never” in self-talk: For example, “I always fail at everything I do” or “I’ll never learn how to do write sales copy”.
All-or-nothing thinking is just another way of beating yourself up, and strips away both personal power and confidence.
If you catch yourself making an all-or-nothing statement, reframe it instantly to a more realistic, empowering thought.
For example, change your “all-or nothing” thinking to, “Lots of people learn how to write sales copy effectively. I can choose to outsource this. Or say to yourself, “I can just take my time, read instructions more carefully, and keep doing it until I get it right.”
Shifting Your Mindset for Prosperity and Success
5. Avoid Making Every Setback a Catastrophe
Do you see every setback as a catastrophe? Is every setback that happens the end of the world? Do you say things like “my business is FINISHED” if your computer dies, instead of simply buying another one?
Yes, this is just another form of beating yourself up. Even if you do experience a disaster—for example, a power outage occurs, and you lose a graphics file you’ve been working on for hours—realize that in the large scheme of things, this is frustrating but not really the end of your world. Treat it as a learning experience. Example: “Next time I’ll remember to save that graphic at every step.”
6. Ask Yourself: “Will This Matter in Five Years?”
One of the best ways to train yourself out of doom-oriented thinking is to get into the habit of asking yourself, after each disaster, “Will this matter in five years?”
If the answer is “no, I won’t even remember it”, it’s not worth worrying about.
7. Focus On Serving Others
One of the best ways to begin shifting your mindset for prosperity and success is to start focusing on serving others.
Our worst worries, fear and paralysis behaviors and mindsets occur when we are focused inward, thinking about ourselves.
Instead, focus on serving others. Think about how you are going to help the person who reads your next book. Or focus on how much it will help not just your client but other members of his team when you finish your project on time.
When you are focused on serving others, there is no room for worry.
Conclusion
As you begin shifting your mindset for prosperity and success, you will begin to transform yourself and your business.
Remember that any transformation begins in your mind. See it. Believe it. Then you can achieve it.
Begin to practice these 7 mindset habits to experience prosperity and success in your life.
1. Use Affirmations Effectively
2. Change Your Perspective
3. Re-frame Negative Thoughts
4. Avoid “All or Nothing” Thinking
5. Avoid Making Every Set Back a Catastrophe
6. Ask Yourself: “Will it Matter in Five Years?”
7. Focus on Serving Others
At My Biz Dream Team, we can show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out the Special Report and Training Guide: Build My Business Dream Team. Let us show you how to reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, marketing strategist, and speaker, helping you create the life of your dreams as you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
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How to Quickly Increase Your Visibility with Public Speaking
Increase Your Visibility with Public Speaking
How to Increase Your Visibility with Public Speaking
As an author, entrepreneur, or coach one of the best ways to boost your business success is to increase your visibility with public speaking. I have given hundreds of presentations during a lifetime of being a paid speaker, attorney, and seminar presenter.
Therefore, if you want to increase your visibility then get started with public speaking today.
Do not put this off because you find it to be uncomfortable.
Sometimes you must do what is uncomfortable, if you want to achieve uncommon results!
Perhaps you are like me. I put off doing things that are unfamiliar.
To address my unpleasant habit, I am starting a 40-Day Procrastination Fast.
This is not your typical fast where I give up food. During this fast I am giving up an unpleasant habit that I have developed.
I call my unpleasant habit my “Scarlett O'Hara Syndrome.” I put off today, what I can do tomorrow. Sometimes, tomorrow never comes.
So, starting today, all those projects that have been piling up and never accomplished, get ticked off one at a time.
The first project on my list, is this blog post.
Dexter and Pamela Montgomery
Increase Your Visibility with Public Speaking Today, Not Tomorrow
Today, my focus is public speaking. Nothing helps you gain greater visibility and authority than speaking in public. You must start to increase your visibility with public speaking today. Do not wait until tomorrow.
Is putting off public speaking your unpleasant habit? If so, then join me in this 40-Day Procrastination Fast. Grab the opportunity today, to increase your visibility with public speaking.
Seek out opportunities to share what you know.
If you are an author, small business owner, entrepreneur, or life coach you must leave the comfort of the computer, or wherever you hide out. If you want greater visibility, then stand up and be seen.
Look for Public Speaking Opportunities at Your Church
You can volunteer to speak at your church to increase your visibility.
Speaking in front of people who already know, trust, and like you, will increase your visibility and build your confidence. With increased confidence you can begin to add other public speaking opportunities.
For the past 3 weeks I have had the opportunity to present a three-minute segment, called “The Black History Moment.” I have shared stories and historical facts about African-Americans in Times of War. My focus has been on World War I because this year is the 100th anniversary of “The War to End All Wars.”
The opportunity to speak in front of a church audience should not be taken lightly. It is a great privilege that should be undertaken for the right reasons and provide value to those present.
Look for Public Speaking Opportunities at Local Service Clubs
Check out your local service organizations, (Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis) who are looking for speakers every week. Volunteer to speak at their meeting.
Local libraries, business associations (like the Chamber of Commerce), and civic associations are always looking for speakers. Therefore, contact those types of organizations in your local community.
Be bold in your commitment to increase your visibility with public speaking. Do not the fear of doing something unfamiliar hold you back from your destiny.
Prepare a 15-20- minute signature speak that you give on your topic. As you continue to give your speech, you will get better. Remember that preparation is the key.
At my local rotary Club, for the past several weeks, I have given a 3-minute introduction of our guests that highlights them and the best aspects of Rotary International. The perception of me as a leader, increased exponentially as I stepped up and showcased my public speaking ability.
Tackle Your Fear of Public Speaking
If you are afraid of public speaking, I say, “Just get over it.” You must learn to tackle your fear of public peaking.
If you want to elevate your business, then you must showcase your expertise. Let the world, or at least your community, know of the experience and expertise that you offer.
As an entrepreneur, you are a leader. As a leader you can not sit on the sideline. Instead you must learn to transform your mindset from an employee to an entrepreneur as you “Step into Your Power.”
You can quickly overcome your fear of public speaking by scheduling yourself to regularly speak. The more frequently that you engage in public speaking, the more confidence you will develop.
Conclusion/Call to Action
Jumpstart your success by beginning to increase your visibility with public speaking. This is the best way to build your authority status as a recognized expert in your community. Standing in front of the room, gives you credibility and visibility.
Follow this advice:
1. Increase Your Visibility with Public Speaking Today, Not Tomorrow
2. Look for Public Speaking Opportunities at Your Church
3. Look for Public Speaking Opportunities at Your Local Service Organizations
4. Tackle Your Fear of Public Speaking
At My Biz Dream Team, we show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out The Strategic Pathway to Success Program™. Let us show you how to reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and speaker, providing results-oriented solutions that help you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
Goal Setting for Entrepreneurs
Goal Setting for Entrepreneurs
Goal Setting for Entrepreneurs
Goal setting for entrepreneurs can often be a tedious and time-consuming chore. Many entrepreneurs have this view of goal-setting because they do not see many positive results from the exercise. Have you ever felt that way? You set goals at the beginning of the year, then you set aside the paper with your written goals, and never achieve any results.
If that sounds like you, then you are in the right place. Today, I want to share with you my approach to goal setting for entrepreneurs that is not tedious or unproductive.
1. What is Goal Setting for Entrepreneurs?
Most business experts will tell you that you need to set S.M.A.R.T. goals. These same gurus will tell you that without setting S.M.A.R.T. goals you will never achieve the business and financial success that you desire. At one point, I wrote an article advocating S.M.A.R.T. goals.
Now, I am ready to explode when I hear the experts talk about S.M.A.R.T. goals.
I have come to realize from personal experience, that S.M.A.R.T. goals can limit you. The biggest goals that I have achieved have come from setting outrageous goals, not S.M.A.R.T. goals. Just think about what S.M.A.R.T. means: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound.
While that looks great on paper—and clearly, it is easy to remember—it does not go far enough for those who want to achieve important things. I agree with the premise that goals should be specific, measurable, and timely. However, I do not agree with the other two premises that goals should be attainable and realistic.
2. Does an “Attainable” “Realistic” Goal Inspire You?
Think about it. Do you want to be stuck with “attainable” and “realistic” goals when what you really dream about is a 3-day workweek, frequent international travel, and enough money to fund a college endowment? It seems clear to me that those safe, S.M.A.R.T. goals are not going to get you there.
In fact, they might even do worse than simply “not get you there.” They may actively hold you back.
Have you ever, set a goal to increase your earnings by 10%? That is often viewed as an “attainable” and “realistic” goal. But did that 10% goal inspire you to work harder? Or did it create a subconscious ceiling on your earning potential that you are unable to break through?
When I was 8 years old and I set the goal of becoming a lawyer. No one would have said my goal was “attainable” or “realistic.” Some would say my goal was outrageous. My goal required an expensive college and law school education. Then I would have to take and pass an expensive and tough bar exam before I received a license to practice law. My parents were not wealthy. I did not know any attorneys. But I had a burning desire to help people who were left out and locked out of full and equal participation in our social, legal, and economic systems. Despite, the seeming appearance of my goals being unrealistic and unattainable, I became a licensed attorney at the age of 25.
3. Goal Setting for the Savvy Entrepreneur
The savvy entrepreneur, rather than focusing on goals that are “attainable” and “realistic” knows that the key to incredible success lies in creating lofty goals that feel out of reach—maybe even UN-attainable. Savvy entrepreneurs do not strive to earn 10% more than last year. They want 50% or even 100% more. The savvy entrepreneur stretches herself. She finds new, and better, ways to do things.
Of course, you cannot simply declare crazy goals and expect to achieve them. However, when you shun the attainable goal for the outrageous goal, you push yourself beyond those self-imposed limits and reach for the stars.
Conclusion/Call to Action
Goal setting for entrepreneurs does not have to be a tedious and worthless exercise. When you learn to set the right kind of goals, you can achieve results far beyond your wildest desires. Remember to set goals that inspire you! You have a much better chance of achieving your goal, if it motivates your heart.
At My Biz Dream Team, we can show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out The Strategic Pathway to Success Program™. Let us help you accelerate the growth of your business so that you can reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and speaker, helping you create the life of your dreams as you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life.
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How to Love Your Business and Your Life
Love Your Business and Your Life
How to Love Your Business and Your Life
How to love your business and your life is a natural question asked by many entrepreneurs. What must I do to feel satisfied? How do I know if I am making the right decision? These questions and others like them pop up from time to time as you make choices about your business, career, and life. In this article, I will share with you a 3-step approach that I have used over the past few years to help me love my business and live a purposeful, productive, joyous life. This approach is for you:
· if you do not want to settle for what comes your way;
· if you want to live a life of joy, purpose, and peace;
· if want to love your business and your life!
1.”Refill the Well”
In “The Artist’s Way,” a seminal book in the personal development movement, author Julia Cameron reminds us that creativity cannot survive in a vacuum. She recommends that writers and others spend time in nature, visiting museums, or pursuing other activities that “refill the well.”
How do you “refill the well?”
You can interfere with your desire to love your business and your life by working too much. Sometimes you just need to get out of the office. In a recent post, I wrote about “Finding Time for Yourself: Me Time.” You may find it helpful as you go through this process of determining how to love your business and your life.
When it comes to discovering your life’s purpose, you will want to get out and try new things. Now is the time to try out all those things you thought you might enjoy but never got around to doing.
For example, you could:
· Take a yoga class
· Train for a marathon
· Learn to design jewelry
Only by trying out a variety of activities will you find those that bring you joy—and eliminate those you never want to do again.
2. Plan for New Experiences
Start a list of things you would like to experience. This can be a living document that you continue to add to as new ideas come to you. It is also the document you will refer to as new opportunities present themselves.
But do not just list things. Plan. Then do them. Add at least one new experience to your calendar every month, then do what it takes to fulfill that obligation with yourself. You might just discover a favorite new hobby, or meet your new business partner in that yoga class. At the very least, you will be refilling your own well. For example, last year I joined a new community organization to meet people who shared similar beliefs about community service. This year I was elected an officer of the group. As an officer, I am even more involved with the group’s projects and mission.
3. Consider the Possibilities
Many business advisors will tell you that the secret to a better business is focus. For these business advisors, to be distracted by other opportunities or ideas is to dilute the power of your core business.
While this can be true in many cases, it can also cause the purpose-seeking entrepreneur to freeze in his tracks. You may be unwilling to move in any direction for fear of choosing the wrong one. Much like the college graduate who feels trapped in a job she hates, simply because that is what she knows. You may end up hating your business and wishing for a day job again, if you do not explore the possibilities.
Rather than wearing blinders that keep you too laser focused every moment, take some time to explore other possibilities. Look for complementary ideas that are a natural match for one another.
Do not be afraid to follow that winding path from time to time. You never know what you might discover around the next bend.
Therefore, it is important to loving your business and your life to create a list of future projects. This “Someday” list contains the projects and plans you want to do, but not right now. Much like your new experiences list, this is a living document where you will record every new project that crosses your mind. Some will be good. Many will not. But that is okay. The point is to not close your mind to the possibilities.
Conclusion/Call to Action
In determining how to love your business and your life, I recommend a 3-step approach that will open a pathway to a joyful, purposeful life where you love your business and your life. To love your business and your life remember to:
· “Refill the Well”
· Plan new Experiences
· Consider the Possibilities
By following these 3-steps you are well on your way to creating the life of your dreams where you love your business and your life.
Leave a comment about the steps that you are taking to learn how to love your business and your life.
I am Pamela Montgomery, the attorney, author, and entrepreneur who helps you create the life of your dreams as you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
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How to Transform from Employee to Entrepreneur
Transform
How to Transform from Employee to Entrepreneur
How to transform from employee to entrepreneur, is a question asked by many would-be entrepreneurs. As you transform from employee to entrepreneur you may struggle with feelings of powerlessness and lack of confidence in the face of the new challenges. You will need to develop a lifestyle and mindset that makes you feel confident and powerful in the situations that you face in life and in business as you make this transformation. This article addresses how to transform yourself from employee to entrepreneur using five strategies that help you to become confident, strong, and powerful. I invite you to “Step into Your P.O.W.E.R.
1. Remember Your Purpose
As you transform from employee to entrepreneur, you must remind yourself of the burning desire that brought you to this point. You had a big dream of starting a business. Remember your purpose. Continue to dream big and to act big. Join with others to make a difference. We were sent here to serve. Who are you serving? Once you begin to focus on others, and get your mind off of yourself, your passion and purpose will be re-kindled. I began to feel less nervous and fearful when I stopped focusing on details of my business plan and remembered why I wanted to serve my clients.
2. Look for Opportunities to Continue Learning
Once you become an entrepreneur you will find that school has just begun. You may have credentials that made you a great success as an employee. As an entrepreneur you will need new skills. These skills aren't often learned in university classrooms. So you must continually look for opportunities to learn that will broaden your knowledge base. Take courses and read books that fill the gaps in your knowledge. You can also learn from people who are already successful doing what you do. You must remain teachable! These opportunities for learning are essential to your transformation. These opportunities for learning help make you feel confident and powerful. As you learn new things you gain the confidence to know that you can meet the challenge of being an entrepreneur.
3. Pursue a Wealth of Relationships
As you become an entrepreneur you need to pursue and develop a wealth of relationships. The people around you are so important to your feeling of power. Are they negative? Are they telling you what you can not do? If so it may be time to stop spending time with them. You must develop relationships with people who will support you and your dream. Are they encouraging you in your change? Some of the negative people may be in your own family. Then it is harder to get away from them. But you must protect your dream! I have joined new groups like the Rotary Club and the community civic association to associate with other business and community leaders. You may want to join local service organizations in your community. Continue to network and serve.
4. Be Energetic!
As you transform from employee to entrepreneur you will probably spend longer hours working. You will be tired and pre-occupied with all that you have to do. But you will not be able to accomplish your great dreams if you are tired all the time. To combat this feeling, you need to be energetic. Move around. Feel your strength. I like to walk in the neighborhood or at the local mall in morning. I have a ritual where I jump up out of the bed, pray and meditate, then start walking. You may want to try something similar to keep your energy high!
5. Be Relentless
As you step into your power as an entrepreneur, you will leave many old habits and customs behind. You must be relentless in pursuit of the dream that is your business. Don't give up. When you stop, the results you were looking for could have been just around the corner. I encourage you to be persistent, determined, and relentless. Be excellent in all that you do. None of us is perfect. But we can be an excellent example of how to use POWER for positive change in our life and our community.
Closing Thoughts
To transform from employee to entrepreneur can be challenging. However with the proper mindset and focus you can emerge confident and powerful as you learn to step into your P.O.W.E.R.
What new habits or rituals are you developing as your transform from employee to entrepreneur? Share your remarks in the comment box. We would love to hear from you.
At My Biz Dream Team, we show you how to develop an internet lifestyle business that can help you reach your money goals. Check out The Podcasting Power Playbook, to help you increase your visibility, credibility, and authority status. Let us show you how to reach your goal of creating a lifestyle and a business that you love! Act today.
Pamela Montgomery
I am Pamela Montgomery, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and speaker, providing you results-oriented strategies that help you achieve uncommon results in your business and in your life!
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