A Total Approach To Success!

How often have you read a great magazine and realized that every article spoke to you? This doesn’t happen to me all the time but, recently, the issue of SUCCESS Magazine had that amount of great content.

I love to read and SUCCESS magazine is one that I would recommend to all entrepreneurs. There is an overwhelming amount of information available these days – it is critical, as busy entrepreneurs, that we stay focused on what ‘matters’, on what is relevant, on what is meaningful. The rest will always be accessible in some form or another.

The purpose of this article is to share some of the highlights of the May issue of SUCCESS magazine as it relates to me and my business because, I am quite certain, there are tidbits here for you, too.

1. WHY GO 2x WHEN YOU CAN GO 10x????! – by Dan SullivanIn this article, Dan Sullivan speaks about the power of 10x thinking to grow your business. I totally agree with the concept of ‘playing a bigger game’! So, what typically gets in the way of that happening to most of us? – Comfort zones, risk-avoidance, laziness, not knowing what we don’t know, procrastination, feeling like it’s ‘too hard’, lack of belief – I could go on and on.

Dan talks about starting this process in your mind. That’s where all great ideas start – with our thinking. We’ve got to get our thinking in shape in order to accomplish BIG results. For me, it starts with my revenue projection for the year – I write a number at the top of my wall calendar – and then add a ZERO to that number. Then I shudder and tremble and do all those things that you would do, too – and then I get on with making it happen. I fully endorse the concept of 10x thinking! Try it – you’ll like it.

2. SERVICE, PLEASE! – by Tory JohnsonThis article was particularly interesting to me because I am always looking at ways to be unique in my industry. Tory referenced a client who is a spa owner and who was feeling threatened by her competition. I love many of the examples that Tory provided but the one that always jumps out at me, when recommended, is the use of handwritten thank you notes. “My name is Pat Mussieux and I am a Hallmark addict!” I know, from personal experience, that this technique is under-utilized by businesses these days – and it is a practice that is easy and fun for me to do. So, this article was more about validation than anything.

3. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR DAY. – by Mel RobbinsAhhhhh, one of my favorite topics! Mel Robbins talks about technology and how it sucks us in at the beginning of our day – and continues through to the very end of the day – with many of us leaving our I-phones by our bedside. (not me!) Her recommendation is to take a 3×5 notebook, make notes and focus on what is important in your day. My suggestion to my clients is to begin your day with a revenue-generating activity – that, alone, can help you to double your revenue in just one month! So, the ‘bottom-line’ message here is to STOP checking e-mail first thing every day – and, I might add, last thing at night. Let it go! Time is precious. You will never get it back. Your best investment is to spend time on you, your friends and your family when the work day is done. My challenge to you – draw a line in the sand. You’ll never look back.

4. THE AMAZING 5-MINUTE FACEBOOK FAN PAGE – by Jason DorseyThis was a fun article to read – and very helpful, since I am always looking at ways to boost activity on my own Facebook fan page. Some of Jason’s tips are very basic and easy to implement – so I suggest you get the magazine, read the article and start implementing right away. The bottom-line message here is to be engaged. How many of you have ‘stalkers’ on your Facebook pages? You know the ones – you know that they are following you religiously – yet they never interact. Are you one of those people? Stop it! Get engaged. And be engaging – and be interesting. One of his best tips, in my opinion, is to focus on your mission rather than your revenue. Good one, Jason. Thanks!

5. BEING WELL IS DOING WELL! – by John MaxwellI love John Maxwell and the good work that he does. I have been following him for years. This article was interesting in that he spoke of the heart attack he had in 1998 – I didn’t know that! So, an article on well-being, coming from him, was compelling reading. He shares 7 tips in this article and my most favorite (well, one of my most favorites!) was to ‘place your family first’. Having spent time, recently, with my own mother who was dying, her words (and those of John Maxwell) ring in my ear – ‘near the end of your life, people always regret the time not spent with family’. Enough said! Do something about this, people!

6. GET OVER YOUR FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING! – by Emma JohnsonSee, I told you this was a great issue of the magazine. Such a valuable topic and essential information for anyone who is an entrepreneur and who wants to grow their business. I always tell my clients that one of the best ways to do this is by way of public speaking. Emma Johnson shared some case studies in her article in which individuals identified their ‘technique’ and the ‘results’ – powerful examples. In my work with my coaching clients, we focus on public speaking in different stages (no pun intended!) – first, identify your topic/passion and know your content inside out. Then, focus on the environmental challenges and techniques for dealing with them. As well, we strategize with respect to ‘where’ to speak publicly in order to grow your business – and so much more. The bottom-line message here – GET OUT AND SPEAK! You don’t have to be an expert and be perfect – be yourself – but have great content and be genuine and get in front of the right audience

7. NEVER GIVE UP! – by Suze Orman (feature article)I absolutely love Suze Orman’s work – I love what she writes, I love her workbooks, I love her PBS specials – and I love when she shares her keys to success. One of her tips, in this article, is ‘Put on the blinders when critics carp.” There are many different definitions of success – and I have my own – and they range from very simple to very complicated. One of her best business tips, in this article, is for entrepreneurs to hire a qualified CPA. I, too, am always telling my clients you must hire a book-keeper. Stop doing work that is not your talent! Stop it!

One of the most powerful statements in this article is when she says: “In life it is easier to do nothing and settle for the status quo.” Building a business is not easy – it is not for the faint of heart.

See, I told you it was a great issue this month! There are many more articles and much more great content – I just wanted to share the highlights with you. You want to be a wealthy woman leader? You want to make more money? You want to be a success (whatever your definition)? One way to achieve all this is to keep reading – keep learning – keep growing.

SUCCESS magazine is a great investment. Check it out.