I’ve been going over my previous blog post and it is quite refreshing and uplifting to read many of them. It really shows how far I’ve come plus also reminds me of some important lessons that I may have forgotten over the past year. Just like this short post on being content with who you are. I needed a quick reminder as it is easy to fall back into old patterns of not thinking I’m good enough and comparing myself and my business with others.

I am now always reminding myself ‘that I am worthwhile’ and that I don’t need to ‘prove myself’ to anyone and that I don’t really care what ‘others think’. I was only just recently telling my dad that he needs to do things ‘for himself’ and not to worry what others think he should do. As long as it doesn’t hurt people do what YOU want.

Another Time for Reflection - April 25 is ANZAC day, lest we forget. ‘With the going down of the sun, we will remember them’.

The Daily Method of Operation

When you’ve completed your business plan establish priorities. Spend most time on what provides most benefit. Don’t procrastinate. Start with the most difficult task. Keep a time diary for one week. Include everything you do from rising until retiring. This is a difficult task requiring commitment. When accomplished it will pay off. How much time weekly do you spend showering, thinking about what to do, watching TV etc? You will be surprised at where you can save precious time when you analyze this diary. Next plan your day. Write everything to be achieved, allocate a timeframe. You will be amazed at how much you will achieve following a realistic DMO.

from TheSmallBusinessDen

of a new month, so what’s ahead?

:: Bathurst 2007

:: My nephews first birthday, what a milestone

:: Warmer weather - Summer’s only a month away, woohoo

:: Christmas stock to starts arriving - I love getting new stuff

:: Discussions about Christmas day begin - where to have it, who’s invited etc etc

:: BAS due - again!

:: Tax deadline looms, argh

Not looking too bad for the month ahead although I am sure many other things will crop up (a huge lotto win would be lovely!).

Number 1

Turn my kettle on - I must have a coffee (preferably percolated) to get my day started

Number 2

Turn my computer on - although lately I haven’t actually been turning it off, so I just need to wake it up

Number 3

Print out the orders that came in over night and start to write out the gift tag messages. Depending how many there are I may finish this a little later

Number 4

Visit my regular online networks - Messy Desk, She-Essence, Free Business Tips and Small Business Den I love to read what other small business owners are up to, it’s always exciting and motivating to read about others successes - even their difficulties can inspire. You think ‘what can I do to help’?

Number 5

Eat my breakfast - I am trying very hard to have brekky every morning as I have read (and am now starting to believe) that breakfast or lack of can effect your mood for the rest of the day.

I normally allow myself 30-40mins to do the above before I ‘get ready’ for the day ahead. It helps me to ease myself into the day so I don’t start frazzled and stressed before it has even begun!

Sometimes you need space, space for all of your products, space for your filing, space for your computer and printer but most of all you need space to clear your head. I have found myself drowning because I am not giving myself time to breath. Running my own business is rewarding but it can and often does become all consuming. Every aspect of my life revolves around Rainbow Designs and it has for such a long time that I don’t know who I am without it - a bit scary really.

I find myself at a loss without my computer, I feel like I can’t function and that a part of me is missing. My computer (which is my business, being totally online) has become such a part of me that I’ve forgotten how to interact in ‘real life’. What a frightening thought!

It got me to thinking that there must be so many people who feel the same (surely it can’t just be me!) so what do we do about it?

Firstly, turn your computer off (do you remember how to do that?) and don’t turn it back on for 24 hours. It’s terrible when that seems such a ghastly thing to do - withdrawals start even before the machine has finished closing but believe me it will pass.

The rest is up to you what you spend your first computer free 24hours with - walking in the fresh air is a great start - no ipods allowed - look and listen to what is going on around you. Smile and say hi to everyone you pass by, buy an icecream, sit in the park, read, write, knit, paint, draw, garden, visit friends (that’ll shock them!)…the choice is yours just don’t think of work! Let yourself have time off, your business will cope without you for 24hours and you’ll feel all the better for it.

This shouldn’t be a one off either, it must be part of your weekly schedule just like phoning customers, chasing up suppliers and paying bills. They are all important parts of running your business and running it successfully - don’t feel guilty for having some ‘you’ time, we all deserve it and without it you and your business will suffer.

So, when you write out your to-do list this week (and the next and the next) include your ‘you time’ activity and make sure you tick it off! You won’t know yourself and I bet you’ll feel fabulous and your business will boom.

As always while reading A Modern Goddess, I am left feeling happy and blessed with all that I have and all that I am. Nicole has a fabulous way of making you look at yourself, not in a critical way but so you see the good, remember happy times and want to make even more (not just for yourself but for others).

Children have an amazing ability to see things as they are and remember words spoken long after we’ve said them (sometimes not always the good words!) and reminding us that life is here to be lived and enjoyed not to just observe. They don’t walk around puddles they jump right in them, they don’t spend hours getting ready for the day they just pick up the closest piece of clothing, whack it on and run out the door, they don’t worry about failing they just want to try and try everything! They would make great small business owners - fear stops many of us, including me, from trying something new, pushing the boundaries, taking a chance and not worry so much. When a child tries something for the first time they believing they can do it unlike us adults who think of every small thing that might go wrong! Sure, we learn what can be done, what can’t, what takes time and what needs patients and skill but we also miss out on trying new things because of the ‘what if..’ factor - kids don’t have this.

So find that inner child we all have and try something new, start that business you’ve always dreamed of and reach for the stars…

My morning ritual consists of a big cup of coffee in front of my laptop going through all the emails and orders that came in over night and trying to get myself organised for the day ahead. I do try and fit in breakfast, usually a bowl of cereal or porridge if it’s cold but I found the perfect summer time starter over at Diva Days. What a glorious way to start your day of, a martini breakfast! Now that’s sure to put you in a great mood and ready to tackle anything, I might just have to give it a try.

Why is it important to enjoy what you are doing? There are a couple of reasons:

• you actually enjoy your life while working
• you already know and understand a lot about your business (from hobby or your interests)
• you can find new, out of the box, ways to improve your business, because you enjoy working and you know a great deal about it
• you eagerly learn new things about your topic, communicate with other like-minded people
• you can find new natural ways to promote your work

Though it may seem like just another factor for succeeding in business, it is not just a factor. Sometimes, it can be the decisive factor that will push you through the barriers in your start-up. Sometimes, your passion and knowledge will point you in the right direction to market your business more successfully. And, of course, when you enjoy your work, you’ll produce high quality product or service or anything you touch. And nothing can beat product quality.

So whether you enjoy your work or not is not a factor. Mostly, it is the difference between a successful business and a failure. But most importantly, it is the difference that makes you enjoy your life while working and it can’t be disregarded that easily.

by Yuro Filimonov

1. Decide exactly what you want in life in each area, and write it down. Make your goals clear, specific and measurable.
2. Specify the most important skill you could develop to move you into the top 10 percent of people in your field. Then do something immediately to begin developing that skill.
3. Identify the major constraint or limiting factor inside yourself or in your world that is setting the speed at which you achieve your most important goal, and begin working on removing that constraint today.
4. Determine your single biggest problem or obstacle in your business or personal life. Then focus all your time and attention on the possible solutions.
5. Make a list of what you would want to be, do and have if you had no limitations and you were absolutely guaranteed success.
6. Accept complete responsibility for your life. From this day forward, refuse to make excuses or blame anyone for anything. Instead, take action to make your goals a reality.
7. Reaffirm and visualise your goals of financial success, excellent health and personal happiness as a reality. Remember, the person you see is the person you will be.

From: The Way to Wealth, Part I: The Journey Begins–Success Strategies of the Wealthy Entrepreneur by Brian Tracy (Entrepreneur Press)

Well for me number 6 is a biggy - “Accept Responsibility” - all too often people blame someone or something else (me included) but I’ve realised that it is up to me and me alone to decide on how I will react to things. My life is in my hands, no one elses, so I need to start accepting responsilibity for everything I do and for everything that happens in MY life. I need to stop looking out and starting looking in. I need to stop envying others and start recognising my achievements. I need to stop living by other peoples ideals and start living by mine. I need to stop focussing on what I don’t have and start looking at what I do have. I need to be ME and stop trying to be who I think other people expect me to be. I need to stop dwelling on the negative and look at all the positives. I need to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for MY life.

I have a great business, I have a gorgeous little house, I have a loving family, I have a sexy car, I have great potential, I have a caring nature, I am healthy, I am happy, I can cook and I can SMILE.

We all have them but do we all follow through on them? Why haven’t you? Have you discussed with others who just don’t ‘get it’, have you simply thought about it too long and someone else has beat you to it, maybe you’re not confident enough to try it or you just don’t have the time, money, resources etc There’s always an excuse! This fabulous blog - Business Opportunites Weblog, which I came across thanks to Anne from The Tall Poppy showcases a miriad of amazing ideas people have had and have had success with - it’s always so inspiring to read about other peoples success and to know that it is possible.

I guess one of the hardest things to get passed is the ‘belief’ in yourself (or lack of) I love this response from Gwen Yuffa (who I came across on BOW) to this question:

What advice do you have for someone who wants to embrace their dream but doesn’t have the confidence or feels they don’t have what it takes to succeed?
Gwens answer: The bottom line is that at the end of the day, do you want to look back at your life with regret for the things you wished you had done? Wouldn’t it be better to say that you at least tried and lived?

I encourage everyone to write down his or her dreams - whether it’s for career, personal, family, health, etc. It really helps because it focuses you on those things that you’d like to do. Then make a commitment to mark off just 3 things a year. You will find that you will do more than 3.

Now, it’s not always possible to try every idea we have but wouldn’t you like to try some of them? Start small, do some research, write down the pros and cons for your idea or dream, set yourself targets (small to start with) and focus on what you would like to achieve. Don’t think of the monetary side of things, obviously it would be great if our ideas made us lots of money ;-), but don’t make that the reason for following your dream. You’ll lose sight of why you thought your idea was so great - keep your vision and hope for your idea clear. What triggered this idea, why do you think it’s a good idea, what benefits does it have, who or what will it help….

So what bright idea do you have?