Productivity Lessons from an Accidental Entrepreneur
Productivity Lessons from an Accidental Entrepreneur
Q. Describe how your life and career have shifted in the past month as a result of being coached:
A. "What is amazing to me is the total mind shift of having to work "8 hours" vs. doing what it takes to create more business. It has helped me to get rid of "busy" work and do only valuable tasks. It has taken a lot of guilt away with regard to working from home (being home)."
What a great discovery! Can't you imagine a new future for this woman, one where success is not synonymous with busy-ness and exhaustion?
Susan is in business for herself, but did not set out to be an entrepreneur. She stumbled into entrepreneurship upon returning to work after a major health challenge, and finding herself essentially out of a job.
Having been born, raised and groomed in the work ethic of the last century, she was operating in her business as if she were not in charge of her time. While working together, Susan probably uncovered at least 10 beliefs and rules she has about what it takes to be successful in business, and "the way things are done." She brings another other important quality to this process. Every time she discovers a new belief, she quickly becomes the observer (getting just enough distance from the belief to observe it). While being under the influence of that deep-seated belief, she nonetheless recognizes it as just that, a belief. And like the explorer, she is then willing to go into uncharted territory and try new paths.
Most of us are soldiers in the army of business. Even when we do strike out on our own, deliberately seeking to set new rules and have greater control of our lives, our time and our work, we nonetheless find ourselves trapped by old paradigms and rules for success.
For example, when asked to create their vision of the ideal work week, 80% of the people I have worked with say they would like to work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week. Then, when it comes to doing what it takes to change their working habits, most succumb to the rules, not even recognizing what's happening. And, if they do recognize what's driving our behavior, the task of challenging our assumptions is daunting.
Most people have old beliefs and notions about success that cripple any attempt to truly stop working when the work is done. We talk a lot about abundance. I think it might be useful to talk about enough. Enough says, to me, I've done what's really important and now I can stop. To quote Sarah and Paul Edwards, authors of The Practical Dreamer's Handbook (2)
Discovering what you need to do to fulfill our desires is more like going on a treasure hunt than taking a motor trip. But just how do you recognize your own instincts, that inner sense of knowing, the ability to discern what is true and right and wrong for you? …
This is perhaps the heart of wisdom: the ability to sort out the cacophony of voices in your head so that you can listen to your inner truth. [That is the mission and the journey you undertake when you strive to live and work your way.]
Or, from Bryan Robinson, author of Overdoing It (3): "As we eliminate overdoing it from our lives, we learn to listen with our hearts instead of our heads because this is how the intuitive self speaks to us and guides us."
As Susan said, when she focused on doing what it takes (enough), it eliminated the "busy" work and now she does only the valuable tasks. It seems she is learning to trust herself and has decided she can also trust the results will follow. Can't you just sense the increased confidence with which she now chooses to spend her time? She is no longer justifying her existence. To further quote Susan, "it allows me to be relaxed and be me."
The drive behind the power of our beliefs and rules is, of course, our fears about our ability to succeed, our justification for our being, or any concern we have about what others may think of us. Let's be serious about this. What would you think of someone who only works 6 hours a day, 4 days a week? Not sure, then try this. What do you think of those adults you see out in the middle of the day hanging out in casual clothing, "doing nothing?" Whatever your thoughts about "these people" is ultimately what will keep you busy. Because as much as you might desire a lifestyle that would include this kind of leisure, you are even more concerned about what others might say about YOU.
Let's say you don't have negative thoughts about "those people." Then what's stopping you from this kind of schedule? What do you believe, or know, that tells you this isn't really possible - at least if you want to make the kind of money you want to make? Or, if your work is more realistically done in 8 hours a day, 4-and-a-half days a week, what's stopping your from that? The answer lies in your "yeah, buts…"
RESOURCES
(1) "Work Less, Make More" by Jennifer White, (c) 1998, 1999, John Wiley & Sons.
From Work Less, Make More, pages 108-109.
"Few of us graduate to a place in life where we truly make our own choices. Most of us are bound by what we've been told is the truth, the shoulds in our lives. What about your own truth? What I want you to do is to design your life around what you want to do. You have the luxury of designing your life exactly as you want it, now as your parents had it, not like others live theirs."
(2) "The Practical Dreamer's Handbook" by Paul and Sarah Edwards, (c) 2000, Penguin Putnam, Inc.
(3) "Overdoing It" by Bryan E. Robinson, PhD., (c) 1993, Health Communications. Out of Print (try your library
Productivity Lessons from an Accidental Entrepreneur - To learn more about this author, visit Joan Friedlander's Website.
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Meet Susan, Successful Mortgage Broker (name changed to protect client confidentiality)
Q. Describe how your life and career have shifted in the past month as a result of being coached:
A. "What is amazing to me is the total mind shift of having to work "8 hours" vs. doing what it takes to create more business. It has helped me to get rid of "busy" work and do only valuable tasks. It has taken a lot of guilt away with regard to working from home (being home)."
What a great discovery! Can't you imagine a new future for this woman, one where success is not synonymous with busy-ness and exhaustion?
Susan is in business for herself, but did not set out to be an entrepreneur. She stumbled into entrepreneurship upon returning to work after a major health challenge, and finding herself essentially out of a job.
Having been born, raised and groomed in the work ethic of the last century, she was operating in her business as if she were not in charge of her time. While working together, Susan probably uncovered at least 10 beliefs and rules she has about what it takes to be successful in business, and "the way things are done." She brings another other important quality to this process. Every time she discovers a new belief, she quickly becomes the observer (getting just enough distance from the belief to observe it). While being under the influence of that deep-seated belief, she nonetheless recognizes it as just that, a belief. And like the explorer, she is then willing to go into uncharted territory and try new paths.
Most of us are soldiers in the army of business. Even when we do strike out on our own, deliberately seeking to set new rules and have greater control of our lives, our time and our work, we nonetheless find ourselves trapped by old paradigms and rules for success.
For example, when asked to create their vision of the ideal work week, 80% of the people I have worked with say they would like to work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week. Then, when it comes to doing what it takes to change their working habits, most succumb to the rules, not even recognizing what's happening. And, if they do recognize what's driving our behavior, the task of challenging our assumptions is daunting.
Most people have old beliefs and notions about success that cripple any attempt to truly stop working when the work is done. We talk a lot about abundance. I think it might be useful to talk about enough. Enough says, to me, I've done what's really important and now I can stop. To quote Sarah and Paul Edwards, authors of The Practical Dreamer's Handbook (2)
Discovering what you need to do to fulfill our desires is more like going on a treasure hunt than taking a motor trip. But just how do you recognize your own instincts, that inner sense of knowing, the ability to discern what is true and right and wrong for you? …
This is perhaps the heart of wisdom: the ability to sort out the cacophony of voices in your head so that you can listen to your inner truth. [That is the mission and the journey you undertake when you strive to live and work your way.]
Or, from Bryan Robinson, author of Overdoing It (3): "As we eliminate overdoing it from our lives, we learn to listen with our hearts instead of our heads because this is how the intuitive self speaks to us and guides us."
As Susan said, when she focused on doing what it takes (enough), it eliminated the "busy" work and now she does only the valuable tasks. It seems she is learning to trust herself and has decided she can also trust the results will follow. Can't you just sense the increased confidence with which she now chooses to spend her time? She is no longer justifying her existence. To further quote Susan, "it allows me to be relaxed and be me."
The drive behind the power of our beliefs and rules is, of course, our fears about our ability to succeed, our justification for our being, or any concern we have about what others may think of us. Let's be serious about this. What would you think of someone who only works 6 hours a day, 4 days a week? Not sure, then try this. What do you think of those adults you see out in the middle of the day hanging out in casual clothing, "doing nothing?" Whatever your thoughts about "these people" is ultimately what will keep you busy. Because as much as you might desire a lifestyle that would include this kind of leisure, you are even more concerned about what others might say about YOU.
Let's say you don't have negative thoughts about "those people." Then what's stopping you from this kind of schedule? What do you believe, or know, that tells you this isn't really possible - at least if you want to make the kind of money you want to make? Or, if your work is more realistically done in 8 hours a day, 4-and-a-half days a week, what's stopping your from that? The answer lies in your "yeah, buts…"
RESOURCES
(1) "Work Less, Make More" by Jennifer White, (c) 1998, 1999, John Wiley & Sons.
From Work Less, Make More, pages 108-109.
"Few of us graduate to a place in life where we truly make our own choices. Most of us are bound by what we've been told is the truth, the shoulds in our lives. What about your own truth? What I want you to do is to design your life around what you want to do. You have the luxury of designing your life exactly as you want it, now as your parents had it, not like others live theirs."
(2) "The Practical Dreamer's Handbook" by Paul and Sarah Edwards, (c) 2000, Penguin Putnam, Inc.
(3) "Overdoing It" by Bryan E. Robinson, PhD., (c) 1993, Health Communications. Out of Print (try your library
Productivity Lessons from an Accidental Entrepreneur - To learn more about this author, visit Joan Friedlander's Website.
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George LudwigGeorge Ludwig is a recognized authority on sales strategy and peak performance psychology. An international speaker, trainer, and corporate consultant, he helps clients like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern Mutual, CIGNA, and numerous others improve sales force effectiveness and performance. Though it's George's strategies and processes that help corporations increase productivity and performance, it's his tremendous energy and dynamism that spark the transformation. Again and again, clients remark on his amazing ability to unleash human capacity and inspire men and women to break out of their comfort zones. The result is a whole new type of salesperson. His customized presentations teach achievers to make stunning advances in their lives. From helping salespeople realize cherished dreams to helping corporations exponentially accelerate revenue streams, George Ludwig leaves audiences and individuals empowered, emboldened, and clamoring for more. George is the best-selling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business. - Visit George Ludwig's Website |
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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Stephanie RobeyStephanie Robey is President and CoFounder of Pivot Positive, LLC - an Internet marketing business focused on helping people start work at home ventures. Previously, she was employed at The Search Agency with over 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She was responsible for launching the Conversion Path Optimization (CPO) unit where she and her team have conducted hundreds of optimization tests for online companies across multiple verticals. She is a successful entrepreneur having started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com Stephanie began her career in the direct marketing realm creating and producing direct mail for many of the major cable television companies and directly attributes her understanding of Internet marketing to those early offline experiences. Stephanie is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BFA in Graphic Arts and also holds an Executive MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Read Steph's Blog Meet Steph and Dave Sign up for our Free 7-Day BootCamp: Self Employed & Rich - Visit Stephanie Robey's Website |
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Jay Kubassek(Jay's Full Bio: EvanCarmichael.com/jaykubassek) In five years, Canadian-born entrepreneur Jay Kubassek went from selling mufflers at a Midas franchise to revolutionizing Internet marketing with the 2004 launch of CarbonCopyPRO, a online marketing education company, now worth over $20 million with customers in over 160 countries.
As an independent film producer, his upstart film fund Aliquot Films is currently producing a films with Spike Lee and Abel Fererra (starring Ethan Hawke and Dennis Hopper.)
Jay's entrepreneurial spirit is irrepressible. He’s the owner of five companies, a professional speaker and trainer, international real estate developer/investor, extreme sport enthusiast and emerging philanthropist. Jay resides in NYC with his wife Jamie, son Milo and dog Cooper. Visit Jay's official website: www.JayKubassek.com - Visit Jay Kubassek's Website |
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