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Small Business Coach - How to Recession-Proof Your Beliefs and Your Business!

Written by: Lisa Murray

Article Overview: Whether you are naturally pessimistic or just facing an uncertain future due to the current economic climate, it is worth developing the skill of challenging your negative beliefs. People often wonder how I can be so upbeat 99% of the time. Despite appearances, there are many moments when it is not easy - because it makes a difference to my life and my business I choose to work at it! Your mind has 50,000 thoughts a day. Choose your thoughts wisely: you are creating your life and your business with your thoughts!

Small Business Coach - How to Recession-Proof Your Beliefs and Your Business!

Whether you are naturally pessimistic or just facing an uncertain future due to the current economic climate, it is worth developing the skill of challenging your negative beliefs. People often wonder how I can be so upbeat 99% of the time. Despite appearances, there are many moments when it is not easy - because it makes a difference to my life and my business I choose to work at it! Your mind has 50,000 thoughts a day. Choose your thoughts wisely: you are creating your life and your business with your thoughts! Here are three tools I use for myself and with my small business coaching clients. If you would like to see past the misery of the moment (or the hours or days) then take a few minutes change your perception and alter your mindset!

1. Ask The Right Questions...

Now this is important - there's no point asking 'Why me' or some variation thereof! Those types of 'victim' questions will not move you forward. And there's no point feeling bad because of something you can't change - that's wasting your energy! Consider using questions like:

Is this thought really true? Is this happening to everyone in my industry or only me? What is it about this situation that is within my power to change? If I change my perspective will it help me find a solution or a breakthrough? How can I see this differently?

Does what I'm worrying about actually impact my daily life or am I just worrying because the media says I should? What would it take to create phenomenal opportunities for my business? Who can I partner with promotionally to create a great result for my business?

The more questions you are willing to ask, the more open you will be to seeing alternatives and opportunities that just a few moments ago you did not believe existed! How does it get any better than that?

2. Take Inspired Action...

If you are in a black spot (or heading towards a red one!) think about 3 positive actions you could take which will help you feel like you are making progress towards your most important challenge. Then take action!

For example, I often attract clients by attending networking events, so this week I booked myself into 3 events over the next couple of weeks. Psychologically this makes me feel great and it helps me stay in the mindset of attracting new clients. I am not interested in participating in a recession!

If you don't know what action to take, define your challenge clearly and then give the problem to your subconscious. To stop yourself 'worrying' about finding the answer, start feeding your subconscious with some new experiences:

o Go for a walk somewhere different to your normal route.

o Browse websites from other industries to see what new ideas they can offer you.

o Talk to a trusted business colleague or your small business coach.

o Browse trend focused websites such as Springwise and TrendWatching

o Do something creative or repetitive - both keep you busy whilst freeing up your subconscious (that's why you get great ideas in the shower!!).

o Attend a local small business seminar, listen to a teleseminar or webinar online - ideas come from all sorts of places.

o Find something you love and do it for a few hours - have some fun!

3. Go On A Negativity Diet!

Energy flows where attention goes! If you are immersing yourself in the economic news then you are setting yourself up for more of the same (misery)! What would it take for you to think differently? What would it take to move out of your economic 'comfort zone'? What could you do instead?

o Could you spend 30 minutes each day visualizing the success of your business?

o Could you spend 30 minutes today finding new products or services your customers will love?

o Could you spend 30 minutes every day coaching your team to better performance?

o Could you spend 30 minutes today talking about what's great right now?

o Could you spend 30 minutes creating a new marketing campaign?

Currently I limit my media exposure to the Australian Smart Company daily ezine - I skim the headlines and I read the articles that are offering solid advice and an upbeat attitude! Try it, you will enjoy your life much more!

Here's a great way to stop other people from immersing you in those negative conversations you'd rather not have. In response to any question about 'how's business?' just say: "Well, no matter how good business is, we're always looking for new opportunities. Do you know anyone who is looking for..... (insert your 15 second elevator pitch)?"

This simple technique gives you a double result - you don't have to have a boring conversation about the economy and you may just get a referral for your business! What else is possible? Have a collection of 15 second 'challenges' you would like to receive help with - people will either stop asking you dumb questions about the economy or they'll start giving you referrals!

Related Articles
  The Blind Leading the Blind: Why You Really Need a Coach
  Got Limits?
  How to be a Better Workplace Coach
  What Can Small Business Coaching Do for You?
  Your Belief System is Why Money is Hard to Get

Article Tags: business coach, small business



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