Expect Success

March is “Expect Success” month.  Isn’t that nice! It makes me feel good just to write about this topic. 

Today we’re going to look at a strengths-based approach to creating success in our business. Generally speaking, we’re conditioned in our society to spend our time and money focusing on where we’re lacking and what we need to improve upon so that we can ‘fix it’.  The downside to this approach is that it keeps us blind to all of the greatness we have to offer, and diverts us from exploring how to utilize our existing gifts and talents to create what we want more of in our business and our lives.

The foundation of focusing on our strengths to be successful that we’re going to explore comes from Appreciative Inquiry (AI). AI began as an organizational change philosophy developed by David Cooperrider and his thesis supervisor, Suresh Srivastva in 1980.  Recently it has been developed into a personal growth and development tool for anyone to use, by Jacqueline Kelm which she calls Appreciative Living.  Jacqueline has written about this in her new book The Joy of Appreciative Living, Your 28-Day Plan to Greater Happiness in 3 Incredibly Easy Steps (yes, they really are incredibly easy and incredibly powerful)!

Based on these concepts, the questions below can get you started in utilizing your natural strengths and what you’re doing well already, to create greater success in your business.

Explore these questions to help you create your ideal business:

1. What is going well in my business right now?
2. What do I want more of?
3. When I think of the challenge(s) I’m facing in my business today, when was a time in my past when I’ve faced something similar?  How did I overcome it? (Who did I engage for assistance, what steps did I take, what was the key in successfully overcoming it.)
4. How can I apply what I learned from that past experience (above) to what I’m facing today?
5. What do I truly believe about reaching the level of success I desire in my business?
6. Complete this vision with as much detail as possible:  “My ideal business looks like this…”

What we focus on grows; and what we expect – we get. By answering these questions we take a look at what is working; and by imagining our desired future we’re motivated to take positive action in creating our ideal. 

Considering the positive outcomes from the exercise above, and reflecting upon what’s worked in the past, we’re retraining our thought patterns to see what’s right in any given circumstance and revealing a roadmap for future success.  The result is greater success along with greater joy!

Couldn’t Have Done It Without You!

Today is “Bake Cookies Day”!  What a great reason to gather your friends, children, pets or family members to do something special and fun together – whether it’s baking cookies or making snow angels. 

Entrepreneurship is somewhat of a solo endeavor, and for me there have been times when I have felt alone on my journey. But when I think of all of the ‘gathering’ that traditionally goes on at this time of year, I become aware of the many people who have supported me and contributed to my success.

If you’re feeling pangs of loneliness or isolation at this time of year, or at times in your entrepreneurship, it’s important to do 2 things; 1. Acknowledge all of the beings in your world who support and contribute to your business and life. 2. Reach out and ask for what you need. 

It’s easy to slip into the “I can do it all myself” mindset feeling that since it’s your business/life, you really should be able to do it all yourself.  This type of thinking can leave you feeling overwhelmed, under-supported and running on empty. 

By raising your awareness of all who have supported you in even the smallest of ways you focus your attention on what you have, and that will lead to receiving more of the same.  Where your attention goes, energy flows.

Taking action to create the life you want is a form of taking responsibility and being fully present in your life.  There is only one person who can live your life and bring everything into the world that you are meant to offer and that person is you.

The real-life angels that surround us are the fuel for our journey, and we are the pilot that drives us to our chosen destination.

To all of my friends, family members, clients, associates and well-wishers, I thank you; I’m so very grateful for you and I know that I couldn’t have done it without you!

All the very best to you and yours for a happy, healthy holiday season, and cheers to a New Year filled with love, unbounded wealth and prosperity!

Tips for Coping with Difficult Clients

Difficult customers are the worst deal with, aren’t they?  I can’t write about this topic without sharing with you one of my worst client interactions experienced over my 15 years of corporate sales.

My “favorite” story is about the time I was visiting a client (Orthopaedic Surgeon) in his office after months of calling to get this precious appointment.  Our company had been trying to get this particular surgeon to work with us for a very long time and I was the “star” that got the appointment – lucky me.  My manager at the time felt this was so important he’d better come along on the visit.  We were escorted into the Dr.’s office and as the door shut behind us – before we’d even sat down – the Dr. looked at his watch and said “You have exactly 5 minutes.”  We had prepared this wonderful, elaborate pitch to tell him all about the attributes of our products and company that in no way shape or form could fit into 5 min.  So we sat, and my manager started talking about all the good things we offered. Literally, in the middle of one of his sentences the Dr. stood up and exclaimed “You’ve burned your time!” The words still ring in my head.

Oh, I have a trunk full of these gems. 

Difficult customers or clients are a part of doing business, and dealing well with the situation when it arises will not only give you peace of mind, but if you deal with the situation professionally it can often turn your most difficult customers into you most loyal!  True.

Step 1: Listen carefully with the intention of understanding from their point of view what has upset them – even if you don’t agree or don’t see it their way. Practice active listening by repeating back to them what you hear them saying, impartially and without judgment.  Listen for the real concern.

Step 2: Ask if there is anything else so that you can be as clear as possible before you respond.  It gives them a chance to let off steam and calm down and gives you a chance to step back and decide on the best response.  Note: If the client is being abusive or you feel threatened, acknowledge it and let them know that your intention is to hear them out and resolve the issue, but you won’t accept their aggressive behavior.  You can choose to contact them later if appropriate.

Step 3: Respond to their concern/complaint.  Let them know that you heard them and that you value their feedback.  Even if you don’t agree with what they’re saying, there is likely something of value to you in the point they’re raising.  Let them know how what they’re telling you is of value to you.  Thank them for taking the time to bring it up.

The biggest no-no is to get into an argument with your clients.  As service providers we count on referrals and we all know that bad press travels fast.  Acting with integrity and professionalism in the face of adversity will leave a better impression that being right and making your client wrong.

Overcomers Inc Book Introduction

Today’s the big day!  Today is the launch of the amazing book I’ve co-authored about the power of the human spirit; Overcomers, Inc., True Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration. 

When you buy this book today, you will receive over $5000.00 in bonus gifts!  Wow!  Definitely an offer you want to take advantage of.

http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch

To learn a little bit more about the genesis of this anthology, our good friend and publisher Lynne Klippel describes her journey of overcoming seemingly insurmountable tragedy.  It’s been Lynne’s strength, faith and compassion towards every author in this book that has made her dream – and ours collectively – a reality.

Book Introduction from publisher, Lynne Klippel

At one point in my life it seemed like everywhere I looked, I saw tragedy. My brother, both of my parents, and a dear friend were all battling cancer at the same time. Other friends were losing jobs and fearful about the prospects of finding new work. The evening news was full of financial scandals, plant closings, kidnappings, and war.

As I sat in the sun on my front porch in March 2009, I wished I had a book to send to my brother to read during his chemotherapy treatments – something to remind him that he was not alone and to encourage him to fight for his life. I wanted a book that could give him hope, inspiration, and encouragement on every page.

Due to a series of miracles, the book you are now reading is my wish come true. In a very short time a team of wonderful people came together to create this book with just one purpose: to encourage you, the reader, to overcome whatever obstacles are lying in your path to happiness.

As you read the stories in this book, you will find real life tales of remarkable courage, strength, and perseverance.  You will be inspired, entertained, and uplifted. Some of the stories will make you laugh. Some of them will make you cry. All of them will make you proud of the power of the human spirit. 

You will find this a book of diversity. There are many authors, from many walks of life. However, they all share a common bond. They triumphed over tragedy and gleaned wisdom in this process. While this is not a religious book, there are stories full of faith, of many kinds and flavors. It is funny how in your darkest times, faith often becomes your brightest light.

All of the contributors to this book want to encourage you to hold tight to your belief that a better day will come. It is their sincere desire to pass along what they’ve learned through their own trials, to make your journey easier.

I hope that you wear this book out by highlighting meaningful passages and bending down the corners of the pages you want to read over and over again. There is true wisdom in these pages that can help you feel strong, brave, and hopeful.

May you be blessed by this book and inspired to overcome!

Lynne Klippel
St. Peters, Missouri
September, 2009

To get your own copy and receive dozens of bonus gifts go to http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch

Book Launch

This is a very exciting and emotional day for me.  Today I’m “coming out” as an author! It’s been many months in the making, and this Thursday October 22, 2009 the book that I have co-authored will be released. 

Information about the book follows:

Kimberly L. Martin offers her inspiring Story in the New Book Overcomers, Inc: True Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration

Love Your Life Publishing will launch a compilation of 38 inspiring and thought provoking stories in the new anthology Overcomers, Inc: True stories of hope, courage, and inspiration on Thursday, October 22nd.  http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch

Overcomers, Inc: True stories of hope, courage, and inspiration will give readers the knowledge and emotional resilience to face the most difficult times of life by sharing inspiring stories of triumph.

Kimberly L. Martin has offered a chapter entitled “Willy Loman I Am Not!” She shares with us her journey of self-discovery through facing three major career changes, each one bringing her closer to realizing her life’s purpose, finding true happiness and living an authentic life.

As an endorser of this book, Author Max Wellspring says, “At the end of reading the beautiful poignant stories, the first word that came to my mind was “Wow!” These are extraordinary and brave stories….not only inspiring, but soul stirring. Each one of these narratives is proof that there is a choice to co-create with Source that will inevitably bring healing. 

All the authors had the trust, willingness, and courage to make that choice, and surrender to the mystery of life’s unfolding, demonstrating how tragedies, illness, disappointment and betrayal can be shape-shifted into miracles.  It is a noble book not only for these unprecedented turbulent times, and serves as a beacon of hope for all of us in the human condition.”

Over 90 top authors, industry experts, coaches and visionaries are supporting 38 contributing authors by donating nearly $6000 in life changing bonus gifts, including e-books, audio and video downloads, reports, special event offers and more.  http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch

Among these supporters are Dr. Wayne Dyer, leader in the field of personal transformation, Best-selling author of Excuses Begone!, Chris and Janet Attwood, renowned authors of the recent bestseller, The Passion Test: The Effortless Path To Discovering Your Destiny, visionaries, leaders and authors including Dr. Joe Rubino, David Mathison, Alexis Martin Neely, Erin Blaskie and over 85 others.

The book will be available for purchase on Thursday, October 22nd at which time buyers will receive dozens of bonus gifts with the purchase.  http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch