Guest Post

Want New Clients?

 in Guest Post  tagged client attraction / Grow your coaching business / how to get clients / How to start a coaching business / JeeJee Saafir

In today’s guest post JeeJee Saafir asks if you:

Want New Clients?

Pick the “Low-Hanging Fruit” + Mini Script

By JeeJee Saafir

"Want New Clients? Pick the "Low-Hanging Fruit" + Mini Script" By GG Saafir

Building a coaching or mentoring business of any kind is usually time intensive, especially in the beginning when you’re just getting your sea legs.

It’s common for a new coach, mentor or teacher of the soul-o-preneur persuasion to focus on building a whole website, finding the perfect logo, getting business cards, trying to choose the best tagline, figuring out what they’ll name their website, setting up all their social media platforms, getting stuck in shiny object syndrome… blah, blah, blah…

It’s like having online diarrhea… It can be exhausting and overwhelming, not to mention the process of trying to figure out your niche.

Don’t get me wrong… attracting new clients does start by building a solid foundation for your business so you must be clear on who you work with, what you do, and how you’ll help them.

BUT you shouldn’t be held up from getting new clients by trying to pick a niche forever more.

If you’re still stuck on who you work with, I always say “Date a Niche.”

Take one group of people whom you think you could help with your expertise right now and date that niche for 30 to 60 days… get a feel for them.

Pick one problem they might be having and be the go to for them for that short amount of time.

Make a game of it if you like.

Dating can be fun.

And having fun is certainly the way to draw more of the right people to you.

You’ll gain more experience, practice working with more clients (and get paid for it) and you’ll be clearer about who you’d likely want to work with in the future.

I know, I know, you’re thinking… “but where do I find this dating pool of clients?”

Ah yes, let’s talk Low-Hanging Fruit, shall we…

Think of a huge, well-grown tree, abundantly filled with delicious fruit.

The Low Hanging Fruit are much heavier, and hang lower than the other fruit.

They’re ripe and ready for picking.

These are the people you should focus on first!

Not the higher fruit, they ain’t ready and they’re a struggle to reach.

Make sense?

Low hanging fruit are the people who know, like and trust us already.

They could be people you’ve had a discovery session with in the past who were a total fit but for whatever reason they didn’t get started.

They could be people who’ve showed up to your teleseminar or webinar or live workshop but never converted.

They could be the subscribers already on your email list.

They could be people who purchased your products before.

They could be past or current clients.

They could be people who belong to the same groups as you do. i.e., Facebook Groups, Meetups, Book Clubs, etc.

They could be people you meet at networking meetings.

Hell, you could even meet them in line getting a smoothie.

And there’s ALWAYS O.P.A.’s (Other People’s Audiences).

Point is, ideal clients are EVERYWHERE and they’re likely in your world already.

Too many people stay on the prowl for clients, like they’re something you’re going to beat over the head and take home and eat.

But there are people right in front of you that you can serve now.

So now that you know where to find your low-hanging fruit, what might you say to them to get the ball rolling?

If you want to ask for a date, how might you ask for it?

“Your legs must be tired because you’ve been running through my mind all day,” will not frickin’ work!

Here’s a quick mini-script you could use in an email or over the phone.

Take and Tweak!

—

Subject: Thought of you…

Hi [name] – How are you? Hope all is well!

I wanted to reach out to you personally because I’ve got something to share that I think you might be interested in.

I’m really excited about this.

I’ve created a brand new way to work with my clients so that they can… [insert results of your program].

The best part is, working like this creates movement forward very quickly!

When I designed this special program, I had you in mind.

Simply drop me a line if you’d like to hear more!

I’d love to share this with you.

All the best, [Your Name]

—

And press send!!

Now if you’re thinking oh crap, “I don’t have a program” here’s a quick post to help you create one.

Your call to action:

Grab that tree by the low hanging fruit and take action!

Pick a few of the low-hanging fruit from this article (a few only!) that look the juiciest and most yummy and reach out!

New clients await!

About JeeJee Saafir

JeeJee Saafir, M.A. specializes in helping brilliant, bad-ass transformational coaches and Soul-o-preneurs grow themselves and their businesses, come out of the closet and really be themselves, work with clients they love, make more money and create a lifestyle that allows them more freedom to play!

Her mission is to give them the marketing, coaching, and mindset tools they need to help breakthrough their fears & BS (that’s Belief Systems!) and get into inspired action for more impact, time freedom and increased income.

Need an income breakthrough? http://jeejeesaafir.com/incomebreakthroughsession/

You may also get her weekly articles, biz tips, free trainings and more at http://jeejeesaafir.com

Ezinearticles expert page: GG Saafir

Article Source: Want New Clients? Pick the “Low-Hanging Fruit” + Mini Script

Making A Difference

 in Guest Post  tagged growth / Jennie J Gorman / journey / personal development / purpose / wisdom

One of the motivators that attract many coaches to coaching is the desire of making a difference – in today’s guest post Jennie J Gorman discusses:

Making A Difference

By Jennie J Gorman

"Making A Difference" By Jennie J Gorman

‘Did I do enough today to make a difference to someone?’ This is what I ask myself at the end of every day.

It is such an important question. Not only to ask oneself, but knowing and hearing the answer is just as important, as we dig deep within for the answer and reflection of how our day progressed.

‘What counts in life is not the mere fact we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead’. Nelson Mandela

Making a difference for me is what my life is all about. I spend many hours a day on social media, knowing from the messages and feedback I get, that the posts that go out do make a difference, not only those people I know but also to many I have never met.

We all have the opportunity every day to change someone’s life by just being aware of the world around us. If you love what you do, you will be in the minority unfortunately. These are the people who want and intend to change the world in their own way. They are not the complainers or the people who just tolerate what they have to do to survive. These are the change-agents.

Do you see yourself as someone who is making a difference? Are you a change-agent?

We all have the opportunity to make a true and measurable impact in our own unique way. We have our gifts that give us the opportunity to use, as an influencer, in not only our own life but with others as well. It may be to change the life of one person or hundreds or thousands. It does not matter, as long as we are creating a change in whatever way we are able.

Often people who have struggled with some misfortune are given the chance to give back, and become privileged where they would never have imagined they would be. Often they come from disadvantages backgrounds, have a physical disability or have had their own life transformed as a result of an experience. The secret for them is that they recognised it and changed their own life, and then, the lives of others around them to a more positive attitude and outcome.

To make a difference, we need to recognise that we are blessed with something special to pass onto others. Everyone has something special if they the time and care to look and be aware. This comes to us all in different ways and it is getting out of our own limited thinking into a positive attitude that will distinguish us from others.

If you are a mover and shaker, who wants to change the world in your own unique way, it is because you recognise how blessed you are and dedicate yourself to giving your life a meaning and purpose. To do this, you need to be prepared to take risks, knowing in yourself that you have a message to pass onto others. Once you recognise your purpose you will become driven and focused to make the difference in whatever way you can perceive. You know that all you need to do is to move forward with commitment to do whatever your purpose.

Another thing, I notice with people who want to make a difference, is that they are on the road of self-improvement understanding that they are not perfect and only have to do the best they can for the outcome they are pursuing. They also know that every day is a new learning that will guide them forward in their endeavour to reach their goals. They are innovators who are open to learning and experiencing and not concerned about showing their loving compassionate heart. Their aim is to be the best they can be whilst they create the way forward for others.

Having been a relationship builder and teacher for many years, I understand the importance of how a positive attitude is in being an influencer, as we open to all those around us. Building good relationships is about being a giver (not a taker) in all things. We all have exceptional gifts that we can share with others, that will mutually benefit the world around us. By sharing our gifts, knowledge, strategies and talents we can freely give of ourselves to others our opinions and support authentically, without expectation of some return. We know that all authentic relationships are equal, supportive and positive, and that these create the foundation to what we wish to create and achieve.

Wanting to be a change-agent in this world, in whatever capacity we do it, takes time and effort. It is not something that happens overnight. It takes personal energy, and lots of trust in ourselves, to impact others, by striving to be and do the best we can in whatever area we are beckoned to make the difference. Self-belief is what pushes us forward to affect the change we are wishing to make in others, be it through thinking, behaviours, boundaries or beliefs. We know in ourselves that this will create something bigger and better in the long-run in their lives too.

Sharing what we know is important to all change-agents. We are happy to share our time, knowledge, work and ideas without any fear of loss. We know that what gifts we have been given to share are for anyone who wants them. They are not ours to keep for ourselves, they are given to us to share and teach in a true and positive way for the enhancement and growth of others. I believe, as all change-agents do, that the more we give, the more we receive in return. In fact, we receive ten-fold in unexpected and mysterious ways, which would not have been there had we not shared in the first place.

We are here to uplift others to be the best they can be. It is not about us. It is about the people we are given the opportunity to influence so they can become the best they can be. We are just the door opener for others, by inspiring and uplifting them to reach their full potential to make a difference to others as well. As we help and support others, we in turn are helped and supported to make the difference we set out to make in the beginning. We sow what we reap and this in turn gives others the opportunity to do the same.

So make a difference, be the leader by operating from your own heart-centre, by moving others forward with grace and ease, compassion and care. We are blessed to have the opportunity to make a difference.

I suggest that you ask yourself two questions.

question mark smallThe first one, are you personally impacting the world around you?

question mark smallThe second question, how significant is your life to this juncture?

For more information on how you can be supported email je****@**************om.au or http://www.AnOnPurposeLife.com.au

About Jennie J Gorman

My passion and mission has always been to help and support not only business professionals and SME’s to create business relationships to claim their place in the marketplace but to support those wishing to become more self aware too.

I support people through Business MasterMinding, using a process which I have been developing over the last seven plus years, giving participants their own individual ‘board of directors’ to keep them accountable and on track.

I am known to motivate and inspire people to perform at a level that they hadn’t yet recognised by either doing one-on-one sessions, on-going Coaching, Mentoring or MasterMind groups.

My book ‘Awesome Authenticity’ – mastering business relationships is available via my website or Amazon.

 

 

Ezinearticles expert page: Jennie J Gorman

Article Source: Making A Difference

Ready, Willing and Able. Are You Ready to Become Your Own Boss?

 in Guest Post  tagged be your own boss / business / business idea / business ownership / business success / entrepreneur / Henry Lopez / own your business / startup

Thinking of setting up your own coaching business? In today’s guest post Henry Lopez uses his 34 years of business experience to ask:

Ready, Willing and Able. Are You Ready to Become Your Own Boss?

By Henry Lopez

"Ready, Willing and Able. Are You Ready to Become Your Own Boss?" by H Lopez

You have been dreaming about it for some time now. You talk about it with your friends and family, you are certain you have a great idea, and you may even have an elaborate business plan. Someday soon, you will be your own boss. Yet there always seems to be something that keeps you stuck as a “wantreprenuer”, and no closer to realizing your vision of becoming an entrepreneur.

What’s holding you back? Is it lack of confidence, fear of failure, a shortage of cash, or a combination of obstacles? All of these challenges, and more, are what keep some people on the sidelines while so many others charge ahead and launch their own business. Some of these challenges are perceived, and others are undeniably real. The question is, when and how do you know if you are prepared to become your own boss?

In my experience, it can be summarized by assessing if you are ready, willing and able. You have to be mentally and emotionally ready, you must be willing to sacrifice the time and effort required, and you must be able to afford the investment of time, money and energy.

By honestly assessing what is holding you back, you can begin to make real progress and get started on your journey to realizing your dreams.

Are you mentally and emotionally READY?

For most people, the fear of personal failure is often the biggest obstacle. Are you afraid of the embarrassment of personal failure – having to tell those you care about that you failed – or is it the fear of financial failure (i.e. you’ve taken a second mortgage on your house, borrowed against your 401(k) or used all of your savings)? There is a significant difference between these two types of fear. The former is mostly perceived and self-imposed, and the latter is a harsh realization of the potential impact of failure on your personal and family finances.

If your business idea requires you to risk everything you have financially, and failure would put you and your family in a precarious position, then it’s fair to say that you are likely not ready. You either need to adjust your business idea, or wait until you are in a more stable position financially.

How do you view failure? Is it something to be avoided at all costs, or something you can learn from? Once you have identified your financial exposure, the fear you must face and conquer is of the personal and perceived variety. You must overcome the fear of embarrassment. More debilitating than embarrassment, however, may be the lack of confidence in your ability to succeed. The story you tell yourself is probably one written for you by others who also remain permanently on the sidelines. The story you write for yourself is about having confidence in your abilities. Courage is not the absence of fear, but experiencing fear and moving forward anyway. Successful entrepreneurs harness that fear to fuel their intensity and desire.

To help you assess if you are ready, ask yourself these questions:

  • How do you view risk, and what type of risk (reputation or financial) are you really concerned with?
  • Do you have a solid plan to succeed, but are prepared to fail?
  • If the business fails, will that put you and your family in a dire financial position?
  • Are you ready to face and overcome your fears and get started?
  • Do you have confidence in your abilities (and of your partners and your team) to succeed?

Are you WILLING to put in the time and effort?

What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of your business success? Are you willing to give up hobbies, free time, family time and hanging out with friends? Your success in business, as with many things in life, is directly proportionate to your discipline and sacrifice. Business success is typically a long-term journey, filled with setbacks, demanding consistency and dedication.

There are few “overnight successes” in the business world. It may seem that way, as we are constantly exposed to glamorized examples of huge and seemingly immediate success. Indeed, there are certainly plenty of instant success stories. The reality for most small business owners, however, is that it takes time to build a profitable venture. More often than not, a successful entrepreneur’s journey is marked by overcoming challenges along the way.

As a business owner, you will likely work harder than you have ever worked before. Once you cross over into the world of entrepreneurship, you assume the ultimate responsibility for everything. There will be times when the work to be done seems endless. To get through it all will require your maximum possible effort.

Here are some additional questions to help you assess your willingness to start your own business:

  • Are you willing to work harder than you ever have?
  • Are you willing to be challenged constantly and always be learning new things?
  • Do you have a passion for your business idea?
  • Are you ready to delay gratification, or are you searching for immediate results?
  • Are you desperately looking for a get-rich-quick scheme or are your willing to build your business over time?
  • Are you prepared for the impact on yourself and your family?

Are you ABLE to afford the investment of time, money and energy?

Starting and managing a business requires a significant investment of time, money and energy. As I mentioned above, you must be able to sacrifice the time you currently spend on other activities and interests. You will need to be prepared to dedicate most of your time to your business. While you can definitely start out small, there will likely also be a personal financial investment. Of course, to top it all off, you must be able to physically and emotionally handle the challenges and stresses of being your own boss.

Time is our most precious resource. Managing and allocating your time will be critical to your success. You may have to keep your current job while you build your business on the side. If you have a family, then you definitely have responsibilities you must continue to make time for. You must consider everything that requires your attention currently, and then honestly assess what you are willing and able to sacrifice. In my personal experience, starting a new business requires considerably more time than you might expect or plan for.

A lack of capital is perhaps the most common reason people site for not starting their own business. As you develop your business plan, and in particular your financial projections, it’s critical that you calculate the financial investment requirement as accurately as possible – and add an additional contingency amount. The most common reason small businesses fail is they run out of cash.

You must be ready to invest your own money, and also need to be ready and able to guarantee any amount you borrow. If you don’t have the financial wherewithal now, then perhaps scaling or delaying your plans may be the best approach. Adjusting your idea may mean starting out smaller than you initially envisioned, and then growing methodically through bootstrapping (reinvesting your profits). It may also mean keeping your day job until you can move into business ownership fulltime. It often also means adjusting your spending habits and reducing your debt.

It requires boundless energy to start and build a business. The initial excitement will provide you with a tremendous boost, but the long-haul business building journey will require significant energy and stamina. Your personal health will largely dictate your ability to persevere.

Assess your ability to build a business by asking yourself these questions:

  • Are your personal finances in order and are you credit worthy?
  • Do you have savings and assets to invest or pledge as collateral?
  • What’s your worst case financial scenario if the business fails?
  • How will you recover financially if your business fails?
  • Do you have the support of your family, and should you do it anyway if you don’t?
  • Do you have the energy and health to endure the long and arduous process of starting and growing a business?

An honest and mindful assessment is the key to determining if you are ready, willing and able to start your own business. If your timing is not quite right, then you can immediately start identifying and addressing those areas which are holding your back. Develop a plan of attack for addressing your shortcomings, and prepare yourself properly for your journey into entrepreneurship. Delaying your start does not mean that you are giving up on your dreams. It means that you are diligently working on the foundational components that will put you in the best position possible to realize your success. Starting and running a business is hard work, but the rewards can be tremendous. If you still think business ownership is for you, then start charging ahead today and begin your exciting entrepreneurial journey.

About Henry Lopez

Henry Lopez is Co-Founder of Levante Business Group, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners grow their business. You can find more resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners at http://www.levantebusinessgroup.com

Ezinearticles expert page: H. Lopez

Article Source: Ready, Willing and Able. Are You Ready to Become Your Own Boss?

 

When Are You Most Productive? How to Maximize Your Productivity

 in Guest Post  tagged Juan A Rademacher / maximum productivity / productive first thing in the AM / productive first thing in the morning / working from home

Many coaches work from home. When deciding to do this a lot question how distracted they will be, their levels of productivity and if that’s a way they can work.

In today’s guest post internet marketer Juan A Rademacher shares his experience of working from his home.

When Are You Most Productive? How to Maximize Your Productivity

By Juan A Rademacher

"When Are You Most Productive? How to Maximize Your Productivity" by Juan A Rademacher

When Are You Most Productive?

I’m most productive first thing in the morning, right after I finish my breakfast and sit down in front of the computer with my first cup of coffee.

I have my day all planned out. I divide my work day into 6 to 8 one hour blocks of time, and I assign a specific task to each block. I do this the night before. Thus I am completely organized for maximum productivity.

So before I even get into my work space, I know exactly what I’m going to do this day.

Are you impressed?

You should be, because I really do this everyday as part of my working routine.

There’s only one problem. Even though I have the most energy in the morning, and I have all these tasks lined up, somehow I don’t always follow my plan.

My most important time blocks are for content creation, whether it is writing an article, writing a blog post or writing the script for a video.

The problem is that as I sit in front of my computer, I get an unexpected case of writer’s block. I know the topic I want to write about, but the words just don’t come.

So to avoid being unproductive, I decide to make a couple of posts to my Facebook page. Good Idea! Right?

Well, Facebook can easily start you on a slippery slope so far as productivity goes. I’m sure I don’t have to explain how this can happen. There are too many tempting distractions.

The other strange thing I’ve discovered is that in spite of having the most energy in the mornings, I also seem to have the greatest number of distractions.

I know what I want to accomplish that day, but my mind keeps jumping from one interesting topic to another.

As I go through my day, getting a few things done related to my business, running a few errands to cope with the usual demands of daily life, I soon come to the end of the daylight hours.

After dinner, and an hour or two of TV, I settle back to my work space to plan my next day.

But this is when a strange thing happens. All of a sudden, I get an idea in my mind about some content I want to produce, I start making some notes, and before I realize it I am typing away furiously as the thoughts and ideas pour into my mind.

When I check the time, it’s approaching 2:00 AM and I still have a few more lines to complete. I’m now physically tired, but I feel that I have to finish the piece of content I’m working on.

When I’m done, I have two articles written, plus a blog post or some other piece of content I had been thinking about.

So what’s going on here!?

Apparently, some of us find that we can be most productive and even most creative late in the day or late at night.

I am by no means a “morning person,” nor a night owl, it just so happens that my creative energy, my drive, my desire and joy to work come at various times of the day.

This can be very disconcerting, and very tough on your neatly set up daily working plans. It used to bother me a lot. I thought I was not only weird, but lacking in discipline and organization.

Then I read a comment from a super successful online marketer who confessed to having days when he couldn’t get himself motivated in the morning, or the rest of the day and having to just take the day off.

Interestingly, he commented that he was not alone, that everyone working from home had this experience quite frequently.

The secret answer he said was to make the most of those periods, day or night, when everything started to flow, and to get as much done as long as the energy lasted, even if it meant pulling an all-nighter.

So that’s what I do now, and I no longer feel guilty when the mornings get off to a slow start.

I confess, I am obsessed with traffic. That’s because after years of frustration trying to get traffic to my websites, I’ve discovered the power of some easy, time-tested methods for FREE, and low-cost traffic generation.

Read more by visiting: http://jarwinsmarketing.com/writing-tips-for-engaging-content/

About Juan A Rademacher

I retired from Eastman Kodak Co. after 30 years in Kodak international marketing operations. I traveled extensively around the world for 25 years, and I have visited over 50 countries.

After retirement, I switched my focus to Internet marketing.

My passion is to learn, and teach what I know about “How to Generate Traffic.” This is a basic skill that newbies struggle with, and expert marketers are constantly seeking to improve.

Why?

Because traffic is the lifeblood of any business, online and offline. Without traffic you do not have a business.

It is my sincere desire that everyone that comes in contact with me will experience an increase in life, an increase in health and well-being, an increase in financial freedom, in short, an increase in every aspect of their lives.

“What I want for myself, I want for everybody.”

 

Ezinearticles expert page: Juan A Rademacher

Article Source: When Are You Most Productive? How to Maximize Your Productivity

Be a Masterful Change Agent: Mind the Gap

 in Guest Post  tagged change / comfort zone / Gail Gaspar / mind the gap

In today’s guest post coach Gail Gaspar, inspired by a recant visit, shares some of her experience and knowledge.

Be a Masterful Change Agent:

Mind the Gap

By Gail Gaspar

"Be a Masterful Change Agent: Mind the Gap" by Gail Gaspar

Can you recall a time when you visited someplace for the first time?

Chances are, you couldn’t wait to get up and greet the day. You may have experienced a tingly sense of fiery energy in anticipation of the unknown.

We will contrast this with what happens when we think about making changes in everyday life.

First, a travel story.

My husband and I visited London for the first time recently.

As someone who reveres words, it was striking to be in another English speaking country, yet experience brand new words and new uses for old words.

Some examples: The word bespoke is applied everywhere, from bespoke haircuts to tea. I had to look up its definition, which is “made to individual order.” And the word sorry tumbles off the tongue with great frequency. It appears as if the Brits apologize for “their bad” and mine.

My favorite British expression, hands-down, is Mind the Gap.

Mind the Gap is broadcast on the speaker systems before every Tube station stop. It’s posted on signs above every train door. It’s painted on the railway platform as you step off the train. Mind you, unlike with the metro in Washington, D.C., the actual distance between the train and the platform was very small. The expression got hold of me. My imagination was off and running with the power and potential of these three little words, only ten letters in all.

What does this mean, Mind the Gap? My interpretation is to make a conscious effort to be present and be responsible for taking the step from where you are (on the train) to where you want to go (the platform).

And why does Mind the Gap matter?

Your brain is a drama queen.

Think about it. What happened the last time you told yourself you wanted to make a change from something familiar – a driving route, a relationship, a job, a piece of furniture – to something as yet unknown?

Your brain makes a ruckus. It’s enough to shut the station down.

It’s been my experience that the brain would much rather worry about the future or ruminate on the past than be present.

Want to outsmart your brain?

The brain will rant, quite persuasively, that the gap between what you’ve been doing and what you want to do is GINORMOUS. Sometimes this may be the case but 99 percent of the time, it is simply not so.

Give your brain something time and scope limited to tackle.

Step off the train. The train is so very good at getting you from one station to the next, but would you consider staying on to the end of the line because you were afraid to take the little step off at your station stop? The next step is often smaller than it appears.

Getting out of your comfort zone is a good thing.

There are those who would rather stick with the job and lifestyle circumstances they’re in because the tracks are familiar. There are business owners who would rather continue to operate as they have been for years. By minding the gap, even just a little, you’ll be amazed at what you and your business can do that was just beyond your comfort zone.

Three simple words: Mind The Gap

The best way I know to grow is to spice up your experience with something new. It might be taking a vacation or varying your route to work.

Remember, when you know how to mind the gap, you have the power grow in ways you can’t possibly imagine…yet.

How would the Mind the Gap perspective help you stretch out of a comfort zone? Tell us in the comments below!

About Gail Gaspar

Gail Gaspar, M.A., is a certified career transformation coach and entrepreneur. She helps high-achieving service professionals pivot to the next-stage career role that results in greater joy, impact and revenue.

You may contact her for a free 20 minute consultation at http://gailgaspar.com/request-for-coaching/.  You may also get her bi-monthly doses of inspiration, career strategies and bonus download at http://gailgaspar.com/

 

 

What Is Creativity Coaching?

 in Guest Post  tagged creative arts / creative life / creative process / creativity coach / creativity coaching / creativity goals / Taisir El-Souessi

In this week’s guest post creativity coach Taisir El-Souessi uses her knowledge and experience to discuss:

What Is Creativity Coaching?

By Taisir El-Souessi

What Is Creativity Coaching By Taisir El-Souessi

You’ve probably heard of coaching; life coaching, career coaching, executive coaching… the list goes on. In a general sense, a coach is a professional that can help you develop a fresh perspective, problem solve, set goals and support you as you work toward reaching those goals. So what’s a Creativity Coach and why would anyone need one?

Many people think of themselves as not being creative or they put limits on their creativity. You may be one of these people. You might think there isn’t a creative bone in your body. You may think that you are creative at work or in other specific areas but not as an “artist” or a “writer.” You may be a professional artist, performer or writer who has times that you “get stuck” and can’t seem to find inspiration or discipline. Basically ANYONE could benefit from this type of personal growth work because MOST OF US have had experiences that may in some way make it hard for us to create.

What can a Creativity Coach do for you?

A Creativity Coach does some of the basic coaching things I described above but also much more. They can help you with multiple aspects of your creative life or lack thereof. Blocks in creativity can be related to a variety of issues that are practical, emotional, existential and psychological. A coach can help you figure out where to get started or support you in working on issues of confidence that may be stopping you from achieving your goals such as writing that novel or performing on stage. A coach in this line of work typically has some type of experience in the creative arts and understands the difficulties that can arise during the creative process.

Why did I decide to become a Creativity Coach?

I believe that the arts (drawing, music, dance, etc.) are the language of our deepest human connection. They help us tap into the healing that is within all of us. You are an artist. You are a poet. You are a singer. You are a dancer. I believe you were at birth. What happened? Maybe you’ve been able to hold onto it and flourish in your creativity but sometimes you hit roadblocks and need some support to get going again. Maybe you feel your “creative self” was stolen from you by circumstance or life experience but you want it back. Maybe you feel like no one ever tended that garden but you know there are seeds buried under there that can grow and flourish with some help.

I’ve been there. This field is important to me because I’ve seen others flourish through arts exploration and I’ve had profound personal experiences myself, but I hear from many people that they are not creative or they don’t know how to unlock that creativity. Working with a Creativity Coach can help create movement in these areas.

What can you expect from Creativity Coaching?

  • identifying and developing creativity goals
  • formulating plans that build on your skills
  • holding you accountable for making progress
  • supporting and encouraging your success
  • increase abilities in personal expression
  • utilizing arts modalities to gain personal insights
  • deeper personal exploration through the arts
  • work toward healing unresolved “old pains”

EXAMPLES

“I’d love to paint or draw but I’m just not creative and I don’t know how to get started.”

This person could use some help making plans for getting started and work on those negative thoughts that are sending them the message that they’re not creative.

“I’m not sure where this fear about painting is coming from, maybe because my parents always told me it was a waste of time.”

This person could use some support to heal from these old wounds about not being good enough or their creativity being a waste of time.

Thanks for reading!

About Taisir El-Souessi

Taisir El-Souessi, MS, LPC is Licensed Professional Counselor, Expressive Arts Therapist, Creativity Coach, Workshop Facilitator, Artist, Singer, Writer, Crafter and Belly Dance Instructor based in Asheville, North Carolina. She specializes in guiding others in personal growth and expression through a variety of arts modalities individually and in group settings. She loves being at her learning edge and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship and a 200 hour Yoga Certification. Webmasters and other article publishers are hereby granted article reproduction permission as long as this article in its entirety, author’s information, and any links remain intact. Copyright 2016 by Taisir El-Souessi.

Contact: http://www.CreatingArtWorks.com

 

 

 

Article Source: What Is Creativity Coaching?

Ezinearticles expert page: Taisir El-Souessi

 

Business Networking Made Easy

 in Guest Post  tagged business networking / business networking events / networking events / networking made easy / Tony Altham

In this weeks guest post Networking Coach Tony Altham shares some of his expertise and knowledge in:

Business Networking Made Easy

By Tony Altham

"Business Networking Made Easy" By Tony Altham

 

After years of networking to win business and meet new contacts I appreciate that the thought of attending business networking events and meeting new people to win business can be very uncomfortable for many people so they simply don’t do it. BUT it doesn’t need to be. Networking is simply about this:

Remember that people have 3 fundamental psychological needs

  • To feel loved
  • To feel valued and important
  • To feel that we belong

So when meeting new people and existing contacts at social and business networking events you just need to follow the… Be, Do, Have formula for success

BE

Be nice & be yourself because people buy people. When you are sincere and natural it is far easier for the people you meet to get to know you and build rapport with you.

Be interested & show you care by asking more questions about them and their business and interests rather than focusing on your needs and dominating the conversation. We all learn more when we are listening and the other person feels that they have had an enjoyable conversation when they feel listened to and that their opinion matters.

Be Honest because people need to feel comfortable and establish trust before they commit to working with you and recommending you to their family, friends and business contacts.

DO

Do help people unconditionally without leaving them feeling that they owe you because a gift (your help) is appreciated and builds trust and respect while a debt (someone owing you something) puts pressure and a feeling of burden and inequality onto a relationship.

Do what you say you are going to do because this is a mark of your integrity and confirms that you mean what you say.

Do it when you say you will because timing is important when building trust and very often you will find that some things are time sensitive.

HAVE

Have faith in the power and value of reciprocation – help first and you will be helped later because the more people you help and the more help you give, the more people notice you and value you. The more they appreciate you, the more they feel similarly motivated to help you succeed as well.

Have patience – be a relationship farmer (sow, feed, tend and harvest) and not a hunter (stalk, select, target, shoot and kill). Farmers invest time, energy and resources for the long term and gain a bigger return over a longer period of time. Hunters target their prey and have to keep repeating the process to survive.

Have time for people – because everyone matters. You never know who knows who and you always judge people at your peril. Make time for people and talk to them and about them as you wish for them to treat you.

About Tony Altham

SOS (Business) Networking Coach, Trainer and Professional Speaker http://www.tonyaltham.com

For more information on Networking Etiquette to build strong relationships click on the link below and download my FREE REPORT – “7 KEYS TO NETWORKING ETIQUETTE” http://www.tonyaltham.com/tony-altham-professional-speaker/7-keys-to-networking-etiquette/

 

 

 

Article Source: Business Networking Made Easy

Ezinearticles expert page: Tony Altham

 

Entrepreneurship: The Dreaded 16 Letter Word!

 in Guest Post  tagged coaching / coaching business / Dr. Tonya White Johnson / entrepreneurship / leadership development / self-employed / success lesson

In today’s guest post coach Tonya White Johnson shares some of her experience and thoughts about establishing her own business.

Entrepreneurship:

The Dreaded 16 Letter Word!

By Dr. Tonya White Johnson

Entrepreneurship: The Dreaded 16 Letter Word! by Tonya White Johnson

Entrepreneurship! This 16 letter word has so much power and yet projects so much fear. It is a dreaded word for some and a liberating journey for others. For me it is a liberating journey. Yes, it’s challenging. It definitely gets tough sometimes. There are days when you are going to feel like you are on your last leg of hope and then there are days when you are gliding on the clouds. It is indeed a roller coaster of emotions. But these varying cycles of emotion I wouldn’t trade for the world. Sometimes I do have to remind myself of my faith, my hope and who I belong to, but even those days are counted as joy.

My entrepreneurship journey started a little more than two years ago. I had enjoyed more than 13 years in corporate America in the hospitality industry and nine plus years in academia. When I decided it was time to plunge into the deep waters of entrepreneurship I was completing my first year as an associate dean of online learning for a local university. It was a dream job. I was quickly progressing toward my dream of becoming a university president. And just like that my heart began to change. And while I certainly felt like I was making a difference in the world of education. My heritage, my legacy, my footprints in the sand were calling me. I knew I was born to do more, to be more, and to impact the world in a different way. I was never good with the status quo. I was never one to blindly accept what someone said. I was a born leader. This leadership ability had been proven in every administrative and management position I’d held up to that point. Looking back, if there was only one thing that I wish I had done a little differently, it would be preparing financially a little more. But then again, I don’t know if I would have ever felt really prepared for the leap.

This is what I do know. Everything happens the way it should. There is a purpose for all things under the sun. Even my being not financially prepared happened perfectly.

What is entrepreneurship?

So here’s how I define entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is when you step out on your own, completely trusting in your faith and your own abilities to bring in an income. It doesn’t necessarily mean you are not working for someone, because we are always going to work for someone. Perhaps, not in the conventional 9 to 5 sense, but someone will always be demanding something. You may be a contractor. For example, one of my jobs, is as an online professor for a couple of schools. I work on contract. But there are timelines and schedules that I have to keep up with. And keep in mind you are always working for your customers, customers are very demanding and rightly so. As a consumer myself when I spend my money I expect to receive the value of that money. I also own an online fashion boutique for women. I am also a career coach. The point is you are always working for someone, even if its your customers.

But here’s the kicker. Entrepreneurship means that you are the creator, marketer and promoter of your business or businesses. Whether you succeed or fail is truly in your hands. When we work for an organization, we leave the overarching responsibility of profitability and success to the CEO, the owners, and the corporate office. They make the decisions that will affect the bottom line of the corporation.

When you are an entrepreneur, you are all of those things. The CEO, owner and corporate office. Your everyday decision affects your bottom line. I guess that’s probably why it could be a bit scary.

So why do we do it? Why do some of us take that leap?

Why should you take that leap?

It is definitely an individual decision. It is not something that should be done lightly and on a whim, but I still say it’s worth trying. The experience and lessons learned on this journey are more powerful than you can imagine. If you are a student of life this is one of the greatest lessons to be learned. Through this journey I learned so much about myself. I’ve found strengths and weaknesses that had not been discovered. I’ve found lost courage and determination like no other. I’ve even found a hidden stubbornness that has evolved and continues to grow.

There are definitely pros and cons to taking the plunge. I think it may be a little different for some, but for most, the same basic pros and cons apply. Here’s my list:

Pros

  • I am self-employed
  • My income depends on how much effort is put into the business
  • My time is my own. It does not belong to anyone else. No one dictates my time to me. I don’t have to clock in or clock out or report to anyone. I can work till 3am in the morning and have my days free or I can work all day and all night. It really depends on how successful I want to be.
  • My success is completely dependent upon my actions.

Cons

  • I work for myself. No one to tell me what to do or guide me or give me a job description.
  • My income depends on how much effort I put into my business.
  • Long days and long nights
  • At first vacations are hard to come by
  • It can be a lonely journey
  • May lose fickle friendships and relationships

I think the pros and cons are pretty self-explanatory. Many great things about entrepreneurship are also the things that make it not so great. It is certainly not a cake walk. I’ve found that if you have the guts to step out into this world you already know that.

Some of my clients ask me how do you know if you’re ready or what are the qualities and traits of an entrepreneur? I am sure these qualities and traits will evolve over time, but I think these are definitely the very basics.

  • Qualifications and traits of entrepreneurs
  • Confidence in your abilities
  • Determination to win and not let failure deter you
  • Relentless faith
  • Research driven
  • Willingness to try until you succeed

I think these foundational traits will take you far. If I had to offer any suggestions for budding entrepreneurs I would suggest the following:

Prepare yourself mentally, spiritually, emotionally and financially

Take some time to prepare yourself for this journey. Do your research in the market you are interested in pursuing. Do your research on entrepreneurs who are successful as well as those who have failed. Most times they are one and the same. Ask questions. Prepare yourself mentally for the journey and don’t expect an easy payday. As much as possible, save money for the first year. Imagine you will be out of work for the first year and save enough to cover you. However, this can also backfire. I think not having enough kicks you into third gear.

Don’t procrastinate

Prepare yourself, but don’t procrastinate. Fear is operating when you are just waiting for that perfect time. There is no perfect time. Entrepreneurship is risky. If there was a perfect time it would be called something else. Understand you will never feel completely prepared. It is that emotion, that uncertainty that will keep you grinning.

Be willing to ask questions

Don’t reinvent the wheel. Know that somebody somewhere has already tried what you are attempting. Google is a great resource, use it often. People are a great resource. Never underestimate their experiences. Keep in mind that you can actually learn the most from those who failed. They can certainly tell you what not to do.

Never envy your seemingly successful colleagues

Taking the time to watch others stops your progress. Always support and help as many as you can. You never know when that hand will be coming back to you.

About Dr. Tonya White Johnson

Dr. Tonya White Johnson is an inspirational author, speaker, entrepreneur, and career coach. She specializes in personal and leadership development. You may contact her at http://www.tonyawhitejohnson.com for your free 20 minute consultation. You may also listen to her podcasts at http://www.tonyawhitejohnsonpodcast.com

 

Article Source: Entrepreneurship: The Dreaded 16 Letter Word!

Ezinearticles expert page: Tonya White Johnson