How to Beat the Poverty Mindset by Marla Tabaka

Hey Guys, 

I absolutely love this article! It holds so many truths that I had to share it with you guys. Inc. is another one of my favorite resources to read and gain valuable information for my business. Enjoy! 

How to Beat the Poverty Mindset by Marla Tabaka

I work so hard and I still can't make ends meet.
I'll never be able to afford a vacation. 
I'll take what I can get for this project, even if it's not my full rate.
You don't understand what it's like to struggle; it's the story of my life!

Do any of these statements, or some form of them, sound familiar? Do they sound like YOU? Consider this: Engaging in limiting thoughts limits your ability to succeed.  No longer are such statements based on hypothetical schools of thought.  We have endless scientific studies that tell us how thought patterns influence our health and well-being. We even know that negative thinking suppresses the immune system and often leads to illness. Studies published by the American Medical Association confirm that the majority of patient complaints and symptoms are stress-related. Wow!

"We become what we think about all day long."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

So why engage in a constant stream of negativity? Old habits are hard to break, aren't they? If you were raised in a household filled with negative reminders about lack and limited resources or criticisms of the wealthy, you have most likely carried your learned beliefs and behaviors into adulthood.  These learned responses are embedded in your brain and repeat themselves like an old, broken record; a constant reminder of your limitations. The poverty mindset is one of the most common; after all, we all know that money doesn't grow on trees!

So if we have this engrained “knowledge' telling us that we can never succeed financially, how do we erase it? Depending on the degree of intensity, the solutions range from changing habits all the way to utilizing powerful Energy Psychology techniques like EFT Tapping.  Below are some suggestions ranging from easy to more aggressive approaches.  Try any combination to see what works for you.

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
--Norman Vincent Peale 

- Change your environment. If you are behind your computer all day long, searching for a solution, try a walk in nature instead.  Begin your day by letting your thoughts go and allowing the calming effects of nature to soak in. As an added bonus, the exercise also helps eliminate stress.

- Connect with positive people. Instead of constantly commiserating others who are in a negative place, seek out the company of people with a positive, uplifting attitude about success and wealth.  Observe their language, including their body language.  Mimic the tone and body language and notice how much better it feels to you.

- Choose one or two affirmations or positive statements that really resonate with you and recite them throughout your day. Make sure you “stair step' your affirmations; if you can barely meet your monthly financial obligations, using an affirmation like “I am a magnet for wealth and prosperity' might not feel too uplifting; you simply won't believe it. Try starting with “I choose to pay my bills with ease and gratitude' and “graduate' to stronger statements as your energy moves in a positive direction. Affirmations can actually change your brain chemistry.

- Start saving money. Even if you are struggling put away what you can. Make empowering choices with your money instead of creating more debt by buying things that make you feel better in the moment. I save change in one of those little jars that registers the “deposit' with readout of the balance in the jar. It's really fun to watch it add up and creates a sense of control over finances. I began this practice years ago and still do it just for fun!

- Stand by your rates. I often see clients who reduce their pricing drastically to lure in clients and then feel resentful toward themselves and the client. Talk about getting stuck in a loop of negative emotion! There are creative ways to bundle your products and services so that everyone wins. Don't give yourself away! Prospects will sense your desperation and either turn away or take advantage of you. Remember, like attracts like. Do you want to attract clients who can afford you or others who engage in a poverty mindset?

- Appreciate your current wealth. Make a list of the good stuff in your life. Are you surrounded by people you love? Do you have a house, car and other things you enjoy? What do you feel fortunate to have in your life? Place more emphasis on what you DO have and as your energy lifts you will attract more of it.

- Expand your thinking. If your current business model isn't working and you are stuck in a rut of negative thought you would benefit from a coaching or mentoring relationship. Our ability to create and think out of the box is limited when we are in the poverty mindset loop.  How long have you been waiting for your business to become profitable? If it's not working something obviously has to change and you need an outside influence to help you see the possibilities. Look for programs that you are willing to invest in and understand that it is an investment in YOU.

- Create psychological change.  If your poverty mindset is deeply embedded think back to where and when it started. Are there specific events in your life that have “taught' you that you cannot be financially successful?  Odds are that there are. When these belief systems are deeply embedded, all of the positive thinking and exercise in the world may not erase them.  Consistent negative feedback embeds itself in our nervous system and when our environment or an event triggers the release of certain neurotransmitters, or chemicals, it can lead to depression, fatigue and much more.

For help on a deeper level consider various approaches including, the Emotional Freedom Techniques, Neuro-linguistic programming, hypnosis, or cognitive therapy. I have found the energy psychology techniques like EFT tapping to be profoundly effective at “disconnecting' the emotion from memories that limit our ability to engage in positive thought.

Most importantly, decide to change. Understand that you don't have to be stuck in this place and, instead, take empowering action. Once you make that decision your mind will be open to the solutions and they will present themselves.  No matter what your circumstances you do have choices. What choice feels the most empowering to you?

Complimentary Consults for coaching and Emotional Freedom Techniques sessions with Marla are available. If you are uncertain about how coaching can help you, find out! Contact me today.

Article taken from: http://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/how-to-beat-the-poverty-mindset.html

Where to Find the Money to Start Your Small Business by SmallBizLady Melinda F. Emerson

Hey Readers,

I love SmallBizLady's tweets and blog posts, I'm excited she allows her posts to be shared. The information is great and I continuously learn new things. I often post articles from other sources and authors because I am still learning, and I want to share resources so we all can be successful and educated entrepreneurs and business owners. So I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Where to Find the Money to Start Your Small Business

One of the most common questions that I get as SmallBizLady is about start-up financing. ”Do I know where people can get a grant to start their small business?”. Now Hear This: BYOB doesn’t just stand for Become Your Own Boss! BYOB also stands for Be Your Own Bank! There are NO grants! When you are starting out in business you must come up with your own money to invest into your brilliant idea. You also need to have resources to maintain your household while you are building your business.  You are your business’s credit and debt. Now there are micro-loan programs when you may be able to borrow up to $25,000, but you better have a great business plan to get it.

If you are ready to start your business, you must develop a plan for yourself to save more moneyand become debt free. Now, I am not talking about paying off your mortgage, but I do mean everything else.  I am talking zero debt—meaning no credit cards, no car payments. Basic living expenses only. Eliminating your debt will allow you to always make decisions that are in the best interest of your business. You also need to establish zero debt to free up your credit capacity. When I realized that I wanted to leave my job to start my first business, I took out a home equity loan (which you need to do while you are still working and can prove income) and paid off every bill I had, even my car.  I used home equity because you can write off the interest paid against your income taxes.

Getting your house in order financially will be one of the first milestones on the road to starting your own business.

To find the money to start your business, take these steps:

1. Develop a plan to eliminate all debt. Make a list of all debt, the balance owed and the interest rate. It is best to start with the credit card with the lowest balance, while you continue to pay the minimum fees on the others cards to keep them current. By starting with the card with the lowest balance you will boost your confidence about your personal finances. Next, should be the card with the highest interest rate. Keep working your way down the list.
2. Make of list of what you need at the store. To avoid impulse buying, take a list with you to the all stores and do not deviate from it!  Be careful not to go grocery shopping when you are hungry. It is very hard to stick to your list that way.
3. Keep driving your car. Drive you car until it stops running. As a new business owner, you will no longer be able to afford to upgrade your vehicle every two years. Buy a reliable car and take care of it, so you can ride without a car payment as long as you can. (I still do this! My car is more than five years old).
4. Cut back on trips to Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and cut your cable bill. The money you spend each month on unnecessary extras can really add up. Treat yourself once in a while to a pay per view, but the pay channels need to go. You’ll be shocked how the money you save will add up.
5. Check out the library. You can borrow books, magazines, and the latest DVDs from the library. You can also make requests and they will order things for you. If you’re a serious book junkie like me, find a good used bookstore or buy used books on Amazon.com. The books will still be new to you.
6. Drink at home. Stop drinking alcohol in bars and restaurants. If it’s beer, wine, or mixed drinks that you like, they are much cheaper when you pour them yourself. Pick up a six-pack or a few bottles invite over some friends and hang out at your home.

You will start your business if you develop the ability to control your spending and cut costs. Follow this advice. I promise you will find money you never realized that you had.  You cannot kick your addiction to your paycheck all at once. It will be a gradual step-by-step process, but you can do it!

Do you have any other cost saving suggestions for start-up entrepreneurs?

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure.  As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. Forbes Magazine recently named her one of the Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to Follow onTwitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs, and publishes a resource blog at: www.succeedasyourownboss.com. Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010)

Article taken from: http://succeedasyourownboss.com/04/2011/where-to-find-the-money-to-start-your-small-business/.

“How to Critique Your Failures and Make Them Successes” by Ali Brown

“How to Critique Your Failures and Make Them Successes” by Ali Brown 

It’s often said that hindsight is 20/20, but it can turn into foresight when we start to learn from our mistakes and apply our new knowledge to future situations. So, how do you look at your failures and turn something negative into a positive? Let’s take a look…

Do a “post-mortem” examination

When something goes terribly wrong, it’s in our nature to analyze it and play the “what if” game, where we play different scenarios out in our mind about what we could have done differently to change the outcome. Some say this exercise is useless, but in a business context, doing a post-mortem can actually be a healthy and productive way to handle the situation.

The key is to go beyond what you’ve done wrong as part of your post-mortem. Also examine what you’ve done right. Make a list of the pluses and minuses so you recognize your strengths and what you should repeat—and what needs improvement, or needs to be thrown out entirely.

Avoid complacency

Oftentimes when something goes wrong, we write it off as something that was meant to be. But in business, if you’ve lost a client or some mistake has happened, you can often figure out why. Let’s say you lose a client. Why could this have happened? Maybe your pricing isn’t competitive enough. Maybe someone on your team just dropped the ball without a valid reason. To start, you could do a little investigating by asking your team and the client what went wrong.

Ask your client which company won their business. If you don’t want to lose the client, you could meet your competitor’s price, if that was the issue and you are willing to go lower. Instead of feeling dejected or threatened by your competitor, take it as an opportunity to improve your services or business and learn from the strengths of others in your field.

If it was an internal issue, you can implement new tools or training, so your team can better manage the situation next time.

If you investigate why the mistakes are happening, and are willing to make improvements, you can go after new business with the confidence that your operation is capable of taking on more volume and meeting client expectations.

Stay informed

Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, keep your ears to the ground level of your business. Survey your employees and your customers regularly to find out what they think is working and what they’d love to see improve.

You might discover a new system that could increase internal productivity or boost morale. And your customers could show you exactly what your next hot product should be!

Most successful people earn success through the lessons of their failures. Remember, serendipity typically happens after a lot of trial and error ;).

==========

© 2011 Ali International, LLC

“Entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown teaches women around the world how to start and grow a profitable business that make a positive impact. Get her FREE CD “Top 10 Secrets for Entrepreneurial Women” at www.AliBrown.com“

What is an Entrepreneur?

One question that always gets asked...

Entrepreneurs Unite!

"Find what you love and sacrifice for it."~Delesa J 

~Delesa J

News! I'm the new Director of Operations!

In case you didn't know, I am now the Director of Operations for the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce. I'm excited to be a part of the team and I am looking forward to this new opportunity. 


With that said, I am always looking for Businesses to feature in our monthly newsletters. Email me for an appointment. I would love to come to your venue, office, or location to do a review with my photographer. Let's support each other and grow small businesses! 


"Find what you love and sacrifice for it."-Delesa J


Thanking God for all my blessings <3,


~Delesa J 

Check this out!

Please check out my client's new website: www.networkingnet.net. It houses all of your cities' networking events and mixers all on one convenient web page for you! Again that is: www.networkingnet.net.

~Delesa J

Congressman Joe Baca's 2011 Women's Conference Event

Please join us at Congressman Joe Baca's 2011 Women's Conference hosted by Cal State University San Bernardino. There will be great conference sessions and networking opportunities. Hope to see you there!

"Network to increase your net worth"-Unknown

~ Delesa J

Take Your Business To The Next Level by ANN BROWN

Take Your Business To The Next Level

Just Let Your Keyboard Do The Talking

By: ANN BROWN

Don´t have cash to boost business? Well, according to business and social media coach Pam Perry, you can power your business on a shoestring‏.

"Business is about relationships," she says. "People do business with people they know, like and trust."

She says digital is one way that is cost effective and can lead to business opportunities. "Email marketing allows you to get to know your customer and your customer get to know you over time. By having constant contact with your customer, you won’t be out of site or off their mind," she notes. 

And, says Perry, social media is an easy task to perform and something not to be ignored. "Social media has changed the way the world communicates," she says. "Smart marketers are taking advantage of this because they can promote their message faster and further than any time in history. Use of Facebook, blogs and online video is a way to communicate to your potential customers/clients your VALUE and what you offer."

She also points out that you can reinvent the wheel--in a way. "It’s not about it being new; it’s about being consistent," she points out. "You can’t decide to blog this week and in 90 days abandon the blog because you feel it’s not working. Patience is the key and sticking with your social media marketing plan for at least nine months will make the difference. If doing an email newsletter is taxing for you and you find it hard to be consistent – don’t do it. Do something else. Do a podcast instead or do a contest on Twitter or Facebook. But whatever you do, build brand equity by being consistent."

According to Perry, those businesses that ignore socal media will most likely lose in the long run. "We are in the world of “search” for information via the search engines. If you are not online, you will get left behind," she comments. "And not only must you be online, but you must be active and optimized so that your core customer/client can find you. Email will just put you in front of them more – and they will remember you when they are ready to buy! KaChing!"

see http://pamperry.posterous.com too 

*This article is courtesy of http://www.socialmediapr.blogspot.com/ (@pamperry).

7 Keys to Power Networking by Melinda Emerson (@SmallBizLady)

7 Keys to Power Networking

Mon, May 16, 2011

Become Your Own Boss Tips, Branding & Marketing, Grow Your Business, How to Start, My Recommendations, SmallBizChat, Uncategorized, Your Small Business

7 Keys to Power Networking

Power Networking at Business Event

May 16^th kicks off National Small Business Week and for the next seven to 14 days there are tons of events and awards ceremonies for small business owners which is a fantastic opportunity to meet and greet potential contacts.  I keynote and speak at many conferences and small business events, and often I see small business owners doing their businesses a disservice by how they show up and network at events.  With tons of networking opportunities taking place from now until Memorial Day, I wanted to provide a guide on how to prepare for a networking event. I call them my 7 Keys to Power Networking.

Here are 7 things to consider when networking:

1. 1. Set a Goal. Don’t go to any event without a goal in mind. You should always know why you are attending the event. You should not go to any event where your best target customers are not the majority of the attendees. When I attend events, I try to secure 5 quality contacts and that’s it. Why? Because there’s only so much time to follow-up with people.  The fortune is in the follow-up, I’ll talk about that in next week’s blog post.

1. 2. Research Attendees. Try to find out who is attending the event. Look at who’s on the board of the event sponsor. Check out the names of the honorary committee hosting the invitation. Make a call to the organizers to try to get as much information as a possible.  (If they utilized an online invitation, you can see who else was invited. Use Google and LinkedIn to research as many attendees as possible. This makes having conversations much more interesting and you’ll show your prospect you’ve got legitimate interest in them. You want to learn any information that will help you make a personal connection as quickly as possible.

1. 3. Bring You’re A Game. You can’t bring your A game in your B suit. Make sure you look great head to toes.  Men shoes are important. Ladies make sure the makeup and neckline are appropriate.  Everything should fit well, and it will really boost your confidence. You don’t get a second chance make a first impression!  Dress how you want others to perceive you and your business.

1. 4. The Reception IS The Event. Game time is the reception. DO NOT BE LATE! The reception is your best chance to track down your targets. You must be on time and armed with your business cards at the reception. Why? Once you take your seat you can only network with the other 9 people at your table. If you are going to attend an event with a friend– divide and conquer the event.

1. 5. Go For The Relationship– Not The Chicken. Do not head immediately to the food table. Work The Room! Be fearless and ready to introduce yourself to anyone. Once you make a contact maintain eye contact. Don’t look over their shoulder at your key target who just entered the room. Be present where you are. Anyone could potentially be a great contact.

1. 6. Moving On From A Contact. Moving on can be tricky. It’s important not to be rude. But most likely the person you are talking to has an agenda too, so do not hesitate to shut down the conversation and move on.  Here’s three great lines you can use to make a graceful exit.  Use one of these lines as appropriate; “It was so nice to meet you, I’m going to head over to get a drink.”  or  “It was so nice meeting you and I’m going to give you a call.”  “I do not want to monopolize you at this event, I am sure there are more people in here you want to meet. Let keep in touch and see how we can help each other.”  With any of these lines you can smoothly move on to your next potential prospect.

1. 7. Take Notes. You’ll want to remember the details of your conversations, write down a few notes on the back of the contact’s business card to help your memory later.  If you meet a lot of people each week sometimes it’s hard to keep people straight relying on your memory. Your notes will help making follow-up much more personal.

What other networking tips do you have? I love to learn about other good ideas.

Melinda F. Emerson, SmallBizLady, is one of America’s leading small business experts. She is an author, speaker and small business coach whose areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to End Small Business Failure.  She publishes a resource blog, www.succeedasyourownboss.com and hosts a weekly talk show on Twitter called #Smallbizchat for emerging entrepreneurs.  Forbes Magazine named Melinda Emerson one of the Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. Melinda has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Fortune and Black Enterprise. She’s the author of the bestselling book “Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works.”